UK’s Inaugural #GivingTuesday Campaign Attracts More Than 130 Online Gifts
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 18, 2015) — Officials with the University of Kentucky’s Office of Philanthropy are celebrating following its inaugural participation in #GivingTuesday, a global day set aside for individuals to support their favorite nonprofit organizations and charities through online giving and social media.
According to Anne Lichtenberg, director of annual giving, participating units in UK’s #GivingTuesday campaign attracted 131 online gifts and generated $17,556 on Dec. 1. This equates to an average gift of $134.01, Lichtenberg said. The average online gift among all U.S. participating charities and organizations was $137, up 6 percent from 2014.
“This was the year #GivingTuesday exploded,” Lichtenberg said. “Various sources have indicated a 52 percent increase in online gifts in comparison to last year. We could not be more proud and appreciative of UK’s alumni and friends for their interest and generous support.
“Even though we had not set a specific dollar goal for this first-time effort, UK’s #GivingTuesday campaign was a success in terms of dollars raised and social media support received from UK alumni and friends who posted to their Facebook or Twitter accounts including the hashtag, #SeeBlueGiveBlue.”
Receiving the most dollars and donors was the Kentucky Children’s Hospital and DanceBlue with nearly $4,100 raised from 63 gifts. Within the colleges, the College of Health Sciences attracted the most donors with 18 gifts while the College of Engineering secured the most dollars: $3,476.
According to the #GivingTuesday organization (http://www.givingtuesday.org/), the global, 24-hour campaign, which uses social media to connect donors and causes, raised $116.7 million in online donations, compared to $45 million in 2014. Colleges and universities, religious organizations and charities in 71 countries participated in #GivingTuesday.
In planning for next year’s #GivingTuesday, which is set for Nov. 29, Lichtenberg said: “We want to build on this year’s momentum. We will explore — with the university’s colleges, programs, and UK HealthCare — exciting, creative and fun ways to further attract philanthropic support of the University of Kentucky.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Johnson, 859-257-3155; kathy.johnson@uky.edu