Elizabeth Hunsinger

It’s Official: Mary Wash Giving Day Donations Topped $600,000

The UMW community came together to take part in the third annual Mary Wash Giving Day, a 24-hour online fundraising event to benefit students and programs across the University. The day’s final donation total—after all online and offline gifts were counted—exceeded $600,000.

Donors from 45 states and nine countries, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends of the University, made more than 4,000 gifts on Giving Day, surpassing the goal of 3,500. These results broke last year’s Giving Day record and represented a 34% increase in gifts and a 33% increase in dollars raised.

Alumni and students spanning 77 classes, from the Class of 1945 to the Class of 2022, gave back on March 19, paying it forward to the next generation of Mary Washington students. The University’s most recent graduates, the Class of 2018, topped the leaderboard for the most Giving Day donors by class year. In a remarkable display of support for UMW’s mission, 870 donors made their first-ever gift to Mary Washington on Giving Day.

The success of the day, which benefited academic programs, the arts, athletics, cultural programming, scholarships, student services and more, would not have been possible without the contributions of more than 400 Giving Day Ambassadors. These individuals, including alumni and other supporters near and far, volunteered to help spread the word about #MaryWashDay on social media. Through unique referral links shared with friends, classmates and family, Ambassadors inspired more than 950 gifts totaling nearly $66,000.

The dollars raised on Giving Day are already hard at work benefiting students and strengthening programs across the University. Those interested in supporting UMW’s mission – to deliver a topnotch liberal arts and sciences education with dynamic, hands-on learning experiences rich in research and citizenship opportunities, in a diverse, inclusive environment – don’t have to wait until next spring’s fourth annual event. Make a gift today by clicking the GIVE NOW button at top.

 

Mary Wash Giving Day is March 19

The University of Mary Washington is asking alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends to go ‘all in” for its third annual giving day on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

On Mary Wash Giving Day, also known as #MaryWashDay, donors can make gifts to areas across the University from midnight to 11:59 p.m. at givingday.umw.edu. Challenges and matches funded by generous donors will be “unlocked” throughout the day, multiplying the impact of each gift. The University has set a goal of 3,500 gifts, topping last year’s Giving Day tally of 2,987 gifts totaling more than $449,000. On March 19, each gift will be tracked on dynamic leaderboards on the site, providing real-time updates on progress toward the participation goal.

This year’s theme of “All in” reflects the collective nature of Giving Day and the passion of Mary Washington students, who go all in as scholars, leaders, and engaged community members. Gifts made during the 24-hour celebration will benefit students by providing funding for academic, athletic, arts, leadership, service, career, and cultural programs. Donors who wish to support the University’s areas of greatest need are asked to make a gift to the Fund for Mary Washington.

Read more about Giving Day>>

Browse the featured areas of support>>

Sign up to be a Giving Day Ambassador>>

#Give2UMW on #GivingTuesday

The Office of Annual Giving has set a goal of 300 gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington for Giving Tuesday 2018. Alumni, parents, and friends of UMW are invited to make gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington on a special site that will be open Nov. 26 and 27 only: https://fund.umw.edu.

Alumni: Say Thank You

This year’s Giving Tuesday theme for alumni is “Say thank you to the person who made your Mary Washington experience.” When alumni make their Giving Tuesday gift, they will be asked to donate in honor of someone who made a difference. Notification of the gift and a special note will be sent to the honoree.

Parents: Hugs and Kisses from Home

When parents of current students make a gift to the Fund for Mary Washington on Nov. 26 or 27, the Office of Annual Giving will deliver a goody bag of Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses, along with a note from home, to their student’s campus mailbox.

 Spread the Word

Encourage others to join you in giving to Mary Washington on Giving Tuesday by posting with #GivingTuesday and #give2UMW.

Giving Tuesday Results

The results are in! Thanks to more than 250 alumni, parents, and friends — the Office of Annual Giving processed gifts on Tuesday, November 28, totaling $49,000.

This special effort was part of a global Giving Day celebration, which traditionally follows Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and widely recognized shopping events on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Thank you for your generous investment in hope for Mary Washington students and programs.