On April 8 and 9, the University of Utah celebrated its seventh annual Giving Day, a tradition that unites alumni, parents, students, donors, and the community in support of the university.
Launched at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and concluding at 3:49 p.m. on Wednesday, this year’s event was particularly special, lasting 1,850 minutes to honor the 175th anniversary of the university.
Rachel Robertson, the senior director of annual giving, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “The U fundraises 365 days a year, but this is the only time we all come together from our health partners, our campus success, our student success, auxiliary areas and more. It’s not just about fundraising. It’s about engaging and sharing why you love the U.”
A key difference in this year’s Giving Day was the ability for donors to choose the specific projects their donations would support, with over 100 options available across various university departments and initiatives.
Robertson noted that these contributions can go towards numerous areas, stating, “It goes where the wants, all the colleges, student areas, all those things can receive donations.”
Notably, donations could also support student-led initiatives, such as the Rapid Access Contraception Clinic, which has benefited immensely from previous Giving Day contributions.
Among the early adopters in this year’s campaign were the U West Valley project, dedicated to promoting mental health in K-12 schools, and the Basic Needs Center, which aids students by providing essential resource referrals.
To celebrate its significant anniversary, the university incentivized contributions over $175 with tokens of appreciation. Additionally, the U employed social media strategies, using Instagram to share throwback photos and impactful stories to attract a wider audience.
Robertson shared the broader impact of Giving Day, saying, “Giving Day is always so awesome because it gets gifts from around the globe. There have been donations from Korea, Taiwan, and more.”
Last year, Giving Day raised over $1.8 million, with contributions from approximately 4,000 to 5,000 donors each year.
This year’s event exceeded expectations, raising over $2.1 million and marking the most successful Giving Day in the university’s history.
Kelsey Rodgers, the director of annual giving, highlighted the success of student initiatives, noting that student success efforts raised $132,000, funding various projects including the Basic Needs Collective and Feed U Pantry.
In a standout achievement, U of U Health raised $263,000 during the campaign, while colleges and departments netted the highest amount with $1.4 million in donations.
To enhance accessibility for all students, this year’s Giving Day featured innovative opportunities for those who may lack financial means to contribute. Pepsi sponsored a cash grab event, offering $10,000 to students and faculty, enabling passerby to take money and donate their chosen amounts.
Rodgers remarked on the significance of this initiative, elaborating, “It was a really cool opportunity for students to get to feel what it’s like to be a philanthropist and to be able to donate to things that they care about when maybe they don’t have the funds right now.”
The University of Utah’s Giving Day not only fostered a spirit of philanthropy but also showcased the extensive community support for the institution’s mission and values.
image source from：https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2025/04/26/the-u-receives-over-2-1-million-in-donations-on-giving-day/
