Many played roles in One Day success

The University is still celebrating the remarkable success of this year’s BGSU One Day dedicated day of giving. The total $867,544 set a University record.
 
From BGSU units across campus and alumni around the world, over 36 intense hours gifts came in. Among them were 171 gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences and 208 to University Athletics, 553 gifts to fraternity and sorority life, and 98 gifts directed to diversity initiatives. Alumni and friends from all 50 states made a gift on BGSU One Day.

“We are absolutely blown away to have raised more than $800,000 in our third annual BGSU One Day!” said Jenny Wensink, director of annual giving in University Advancement. “Doubling the fundraising total from last year demonstrates the commitment of our alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty and staff who supported this initiative. The overwhelming support is so inspiring and shows the optimism for the future of BGSU.”

The remarkable success did not happen by accident, Wensink said.

“Planning BGSU One Day is a yearlong, collaborative effort and we appreciate all of the faculty and staff who helped make it a success. Each and every unit on campus has a role and we appreciate everyone’s hard work. In addition, nearly 500 volunteers signed up to serve as BGSU One Day ambassadors and helped us to spread the word, via email and social media, to their Falcon networks. We thank our donors who impacted every area on campus by giving to more than 150 funds. The class of 2019 made the most gifts, followed by the classes of 2017 and 1992.”
 
The University utilized all communication channels to make the day a success.
 
The colleges promoted their matching and challenge gifts through social media and on their websites.
 
“These gifts are extremely important to help generate excitement and they really help boost our total,” Wensink said. “Advancement has the tough but important task of helping find alumni and supporters to sponsor those matches. We also work very closely with all of the colleges and units to help them identify which funds they want to highlight.”
 
In preparation for One Day, the web team in Marketing and Communications created nearly two dozen targeted emails to reach distinct alumni groups, along with graphics for the web and social media. Print pieces created by BGSU graphic designers helped reach alumni who might not be online, resulting in numerous pledges and checks mailed to the University.
 
During the event, the social media team stayed on task the entire time updating multiple BGSU social media accounts with fundraising totals and inspiring posts about matching gift challenges, sharing videos and graphics. Their efforts and expertise helped keep the excitement going and push the total to the ultimate record high.