The Big Give, UM’s Annual Giving Day, Returns March 24-25
MISSOULA – The University of Montana will hold its second annual day of giving from noon Wednesday, March 24, to noon Thursday, March 25. The Big Give is an online giving event that inspires UM alumni, donors, parents and friends to help reach the goal of 750 donations and $100,000 to support UM students in just 24 hours.
Big Give donors may choose from 24 areas to support, including Student Success Scholarships for students with financial need, Grizzly Athletics, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, the UM Food Pantry, TRIO Student Support Services and more.
Supporters also may designate their donations to the UM Excellence Fund and all school and college Impact Funds, which provide campus leadership with the ability to direct unrestricted resources where and when they are needed most. For example, resources from Impact Funds help UM offer emergency aid for students and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Big Give participants are encouraged to explore the stories at www.SupportUM.org/BigGive, find a UM cause that inspires them and make an online gift. Early gifts and gifts of every size count toward the event’s fundraising goal.
Additionally, gifts may be mailed to the University of Montana Foundation, P.O. Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807-7159 or made via credit card by calling 800-443-2593. Checks should be made to the UM Foundation, noting the designated area for support.
Supporters are invited to encourage others to participate in The Big Give by signing up to be a Champion at www.SupportUM.org/BigGive and spreading awareness for specific giving areas, challenges and matching gift opportunities on their social media channels with the hashtag #UMBigGive. Participants may watch the day of giving unfold on social media and track the giving progress across all the areas of need throughout the day on the event website.
“We know the momentum is building for UM’s annual giving day, even during the pandemic,” said Cindy Williams, president and CEO of the UM Foundation. “The Big Give is special because both gifts and participation from supporters across the U.S. tell a wonderful story – students see that our UM family really cares about supporting their growth and preparation for lives of impact through their careers and in their communities.
“To the generous and proud Griz Nation: Thank you for participating and making this event a success,” Williams said.
The success of the inaugural Big Give in 2020 demonstrated the passion, loyalty and commitment of UM’s giving community. The event took place in April and focused on raising support for the UM Emergency Student Support Fund to help students facing unexpected financial hardship during the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. The generous UM giving community answered this call with enthusiasm, giving 516 gifts totaling nearly $100,000 for UM students and programs.
The Big Give is managed by the UM Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that has inspired philanthropic support to enhance excellence and opportunity at UM since 1950.
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Contact: Elizabeth Willy, director of communications, University of Montana Foundation,
970-222-1787, elizabeth.willy@supportum.org.