The University of Rhode Island Foundation will celebrate its second Day of Giving on April 25, and will try to reach their goal of 1,000 donations with no set monetary goal.
“Day of Giving is a campus-wide initiative where we ask the community to come together for 24 hours to support an area where they’re passionate about,” Executive Director of Annual Giving and Parent Engagement Nicole Peters said. “Schools and universities do this throughout the country and it’s just a great way to bring everyone together.”
The URI Foundation’s goal is to receive 1,000 total gifts. There is no monetary goal set. Every gift counts, no matter the size.
“We focus on participation and not dollars to let everyone know what the impact can be,” Associate Director of Leadership and Annual Giving Ashley Goethals said. “If you’re a student paying tuition, you can still make a $5 donation to the Students First Fund and have an immediate impact on someone’s life.
The Students First Fund is a way to monetarily support the student body for the Day of Giving. This fund is in place for students who face unexpected events that can lead to financial difficulties. Created in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs, students can apply for monetary support through this fund when going through emergencies and other extenuating circumstances.
“One of the priorities is the Students First Fund, which everyone can get behind,” Peters said. “Students are supporting their peers; staff and faculty are supporting the student body.”
The URI community has the entire day to donate to whatever cause they may want to. Some of the fund options for donors include giving to the Annual Fund, Athletics Fund, Club Sports Fund, Scholarships and Endowments, and the aforementioned Students First Fund.
Jeff Bennett, Athletics Development and Event Coordinator, is looking for URI Athletics to see many donations on the Day of Giving.
“With Day of Giving being University-wide, it creates a competitive-like environment for people to support different areas of the University,” Bennett said. “Each individual community that makes up the greater URI community comes together to try and make an impact on the University. We have 425 student-athletes. That’s 425 reasons to give. On April 25 we’re trying to have 425 donors to URI Athletics.”
The goal of 425 donors made to the athletics program is included in the total for the day. The Foundation also has a club sport team initiative, who they also hope to see donations made towards. Club sports are comprised of 550 club sport athletes on 18 intercollegiate teams.
On April 25, donations can be made online, over the phone, via mail and in person.
To donate in person, there will be different locations on campus throughout the day so people can stop by and make a contribution. Locations include Hope Commons, the Memorial Union, the Quad, Tootell Aquatic Center and the URI Foundation.
Students can win incentives, such as Del’s Lemonade, if they stop by certain locations, such as the Quad, to donate. Donations are accepted on the Day of Giving using cash, Ram Card, Venmo, online and more.
“There are so many opportunities for the URI community to support what you care about, and we hope that everyone gets involved so we can continue to make the student experience even better,” Peters said.
Students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit urifoundation.org/urigives for more information on donating to the Day of Giving on April 25.