Stephanie HouseChapman University’s first Giving Day was a great success. In just 24 hours on April 30, the University received 1,094 gifts amounting to $213,000. The average gift was $194.
To spur competition, the Giving Day team challenged different groups to a friendly competition. The Parent Challenge raised $76,900, followed by the Alumni Board Challenge, which raised $27,700. Student groups and young alumni also participated, with Greek Life bringing in $10,900, Young Alumni raising $7,820 and Dean Price’s Student Challenge raising $6,120.
Additionally, live leaderboards were posted on the Giving Day website for donors to follow, showing the gift-amount break down for different Greek Life chapters, graduation years, and Chapman affinities.
The Giving Day website also included a live map listing gifts from 33 different states with 630 gifts from California.
Facebook Live was used to engage donors by hosting virtual tours of campus with special guests President Struppa, President Emeritus Doti, Dean Price, Dean Lyon and Dr. Maier.
Chapman staff from the University Advancement Chapman Fund played a key role in the success of this initiative. “Probably of greatest importance was the outpouring of support that came from the campus community,” says Sheryl Bourgeois, Ph.D., executive vice president of university advancement, “They often say it takes a village. On Tuesday, it took an entire campus to come together and make miracles happen.”
More than donations were received from faculty and staff, and many also volunteered their time. Toward the end of the night, President Struppa even pledged to contribute an additional $10 per gift to help surpass the Giving Day goal.
All funds raised during Giving Day go directly to the Chapman Fund, which plays a vital role in advancing Chapman’s future goals. The Chapman Fund provides scholarships, supports faculty excellence, finances interim travel courses, and also allows Chapman to accommodate emerging student needs such as housing and shuttle buses.
Image Display/Chapman students celebrate Giving Day success.
