The Big Give, UM’s Annual Giving Day, Returns March 9-10

MISSOULA – The University of Montana will hold its third annual day of giving from noon Wednesday, March 9, to noon Thursday, March 10. The Big Give is an online giving event that aims to inspire UM alumni, donors, parents and friends to help reach the goal of 1,000 charitable gifts to support UM students in just 24 hours.

This year’s theme, “Rise Up Together UM,” emphasizes how members of the UM giving community can come together to make a collective impact that changes lives. Big Give donors may explore and choose to support the area of UM that matters most to them with a gift of any size at www.SupportUM.org/BigGive.

Donors can select from more than 40 areas to support, including University priorities like the ElevateU career readiness program; individual schools, colleges and programs; scholarships and student support areas such as the UM Food Pantry; Grizzly Athletics; the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library; and much more. Early gifts and gifts of any amount count toward The Big Give event goal.

New for this year’s event, supporters are invited to encourage others to participate in The Big Give by signing up to be an ambassador 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.

Also new this year, participants may watch the day of giving unfold on the Big Give event website, where giving totals and social media feeds will highlight progress throughout the day.

“The Big Give is inspiring because it shows how deeply our UM family cares about students’ success as they prepare for lives and careers of impact,” said Cindy Williams, president and CEO of the UM Foundation. “To our generous giving community: Thank you for rising up together and investing in UM during this special annual event.”

The 2021 Big Give was the most successful fundraising event of its kind in UM history, surpassing past UM giving days, including the global Giving Tuesday giving campaigns held annually since 2016. Last year’s event inspired more than $280,000 in donations.

For donor who prefer to donate offline, 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 the donation will support.

The Big Give is managed by the University of Montana 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.