Graphic courtesy BU Development Communications

Giving Day 2023

BU’s Ninth Annual Giving Day Is Tuesday, April 11

Donors can choose from more than 400 programs and causes to support during one-day fundraising campaign, ranging from community service to sustainability to student well-being

BU is hosting its ninth annual Giving Day today, Tuesday, April 11, with activities on Marsh Plaza and in the GSU Link, including a photo booth, a cash cube, an interactive wall of gratitude, and free popcorn. The Terrier Trivia Trolley will invite students to hop on and test their knowledge of all things BU for a chance to win extra funds for their favorite clubs and organizations.

Giving Day takes place on campus and online. All gifts—of any amount—made from midnight EDT to midnight PDT will count toward the total for this one-day fundraising and participation drive.

Last year’s Giving Day saw a 15 percent increase over 2021 in the number of donors, with 10,032 people making gifts in 2022. The total amount raised also grew—by 16 percent—to $3,153,041.

Among the beneficiaries of the annual event are BU’s hundreds of student clubs and organizations. For them, even relatively small gifts can make a huge difference. 

“Last year was really our team’s first year promoting ourselves on Giving Day,” says Sophie Buttery (CGS’22, Questrom’24), chief project manager for Terrier Motorsport, “and we ended up having one of the top amounts in the clubs category for number of donors and money donated.” That money helps support the club’s primary goal: building a race car for the annual Formula Hybrid+Electric competition held in May at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“The funds we raise on Giving Day let us continue to represent Boston University at the highest level, against the likes of Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Northeastern, and more,” Buttery says. “Not only is this something we love and are passionate about, but alums of Terrier Motorsport have gone on to work in the motorsport and automotive industries. By donating to us on Giving Day, people are granting us the opportunity to pursue a career we love and begin making names for ourselves.”

On a somewhat quieter note, the Undergraduate Philosophy Association (UPA) raised more than $2,000 last year to support an annual lecture series—the only one hosted by undergraduate students in philosophy, according to UPA president, Alexandra Mascarello (CAS’23). Gifts also help the group host symposia and less formal, salon-style discussions, called tertulias, as well as resource meetings that share information and professional opportunities for UPA members.

“Professional philosophy can be daunting, and a lot of undergrads never get the chance to interact with it meaningfully,” says David Winner (CAS’23), UPA communications director. “What we can do now is really cool. We can pay a local philosopher to come and give a talk to a bunch of curious undergrads, faculty, staff, grad students—you name it. We even have merch. How often do you hear about a philosophy club with merch? There’s just no way we would’ve been able to do this without Giving Day and our crowdfunding campaign.”

In addition to supporting those groups, donors can choose from more than 400 programs and causes, ranging from community service to sustainability to student well-being. Highlighted funds include a new one supporting the Robert A. and Beverly A. Brown Faculty Fellows in Computing & Data Sciences, as well as funds for the Newbury Center, scholarships, and BU Diversity & Inclusion.

Also new this year is the Giving Day ambassadors program, which encourages members of the BU community to spread the word about making a gift. Ambassadors receive a unique link to share, and each gift made through that link is tracked on a leaderboard.

“The ambassadors program is really kicking into high gear,” says Scott Graham, executive director of annual giving. “It’s a real sign of the energy and enthusiasm that helps make Giving Day such a success every year.”

“It’s a wonderful thing to see the entire BU community come together on this day,” says Kellie Sullivan, senior director of annual giving. “We can’t wait to see the difference these generous students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff will make on this year’s Giving Day.”

More information on the day’s activities, highlighted funds, and ways to give is available at bu.edu/givingday.

Louise Kennedy is BU Development & Alumni Relations associate director for editorial and new media content. She can be reached at lkenne@bu.edu.