First Day of Giving planned for March 11

Shepherd University is hosting its first Day of Giving, a 24-hour online fundraising event, on Wednesday, March 11. The university-wide giving event challenges students, alumni, staff, faculty, parents, and friends to support campus programs that are near to their hearts. All gifts made between midnight and 11:59 p.m. will count toward Shepherd’s Day of Giving.

Stacy McFarland, director of annual giving for the Shepherd University Foundation, said the goal is a minimum 200 donations in one day. If the goal is met, it will unlock a total of $12,500 in matching money from members of the Shepherd University Board of Governors and the Shepherd University Foundation. McFarland said the Day of Giving replaces the annual phone-a-thon.

“Shepherd is making an effort to engage with our donors and alumni where they’re spending their time,” McFarland said. “A lot of people are online and on social media and are not necessarily answering their phones as much as they used to. We’re looking to engage in a way that people can find enjoyable and support their favorite organization, degree program, or area of interest. Through Day of Giving, donors are able to designate exactly where they want their impact to be made.”

Each academic department as well as many campus clubs and organizations that will benefit from the Day of Giving are participating by helping to raise awareness and money. Anyone can participate by becoming an advocate, sharing a story, offering a challenge or matching grant, and giving a gift through a special donation page at GiveCampus.com. McFarland said a key benefit to donors is they can designate which department, club, or organization they want their gift to go to—with 100 percent going to the donor’s designation.

For more information, visit https://shepherduniversityfoundation.org/dayofgiving/.