Beginning at 6:55 p.m. EST (18:55 in military time, representing the year of Penn State's founding) on Dec. 2 until midnight on Dec. 3, members of the Penn State community — alumni, parents, friends, fans, faculty, staff and students — are invited to make a gift to any area of the University and celebrate the power of giving back. The day marks the fifth year that Penn State has participated in #GivingTuesday, the international celebration of philanthropy.
More than 90 campaigns will be held on #GivingTuesday to support scholarships, research and programs across Penn State — a nearly 50% increase over last year’s participation. Graduates of the last decade (GOLD) who contribute to a #GivingTuesday campaign with a gift of $5 or more will receive a 1:1 match from the University, up to $100. Supporters can also choose to make an early gift and create their own event-day challenges to incentivize participation from the broader Penn State community. More information about challenge opportunities can be found at http://givingtuesday.psu.edu/challenges.
Penn State students will be celebrating #GivingTuesday across the commonwealth with more than 20 student-led campaigns. At University Park, several student organizations will engage in fundraising efforts as part of the event, beginning in the days leading up to #GivingTuesday and culminating with a final fundraising push in the HUB-Robeson Center on Dec. 3.
On Dec. 2 and 3, Penn State’s #GivingTuesday page will feature live updates on fundraising progress across the University. Contributions to select campaigns will have an even bigger impact than usual, thanks to supporters who are matching donor gifts. And new this year, the Penn State community can easily fundraise for those campaigns they’re most passionate about by using the champion feature, found on each unique #GivingTuesday campaign page once fundraising goes live.
Individuals can show support for #GivingTuesday 2019 by posting to social media with the hashtag #PSUGivingTue, and follow @RaisePennState on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.
Gifts made on #GivingTuesday 2019 will advance "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.
For more information or questions about #GivingTuesday, contact the Office of Annual Giving at 888-800-9163 or givingtuesday@psu.edu.