Fifth Annual Giving Day Raises Over $600,000 in 24 Hours

Meredith College’s fifth annual Make It Count for Meredith Giving Day held February 25, 2020, exceeded its $500,000 fundraising goal by more than $135,000. A total of 2,392 donors contributed $638,960 in 24 hours, pushing the day’s giving to 127% of the initial goal. It was reported initially that a total of $615,440 was raised but additional dollars were counted that were not given on the Giving Day website.

Throughout the day donors were asked to honor a strong woman in their life with a gift and a goal of honoring 500 women was set. By midnight, 1,302 women had been honored.

Various matching gift challenges throughout the day from alumnae, the Board of Trustees, Meredith parents, the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, and the Young Alumnae Board helped motivate donors to give. A daylong competition between the Odd and Even classes showed the competitive spirit of Meredith as well. The Odds won that competition 1,019 to 949 over the Evens. The Class of 2001 had the most donors for the Odds and overall. The Class of 1982 had the most donors for the Evens.

Facebook Live broadcasts featuring President Jo Allen, ʼ80, Vice President for College Programs Jean Jackson, ʼ75, other alumnae, faculty, staff, and the phonathon students kept the social media audience engaged. Fourteen Giving Day celebrations across North Carolina and the country occurred allowing alumnae to celebrate the College’s founding on February 27, 1891, and to watch the Giving Day total rise together at various restaurants and the Mae Grimmer Alumnae House on Meredith’s campus.

“It is always thrilling to see the impact that Meredith College has on students, alumnae, and friends.  The success of our Giving Day is ample evidence that people love and believe in this College,” President Allen said. “Having surpassed our goal by over $135,000 with gifts from over 2,300 donors and honoring over 1,300 strong women—what could be more affirming? Our heartiest gratitude to all who support Meredith in any way, and especially when we can describe needs and have friends step forward.”

Donors were able to designate where they wanted their gift to make an impact and were encouraged throughout the day to post their photos using #MakeItCount4MC to create awareness of the giving campaign and to promote why giving to Meredith was so important.

Visit meredith.edu/makeitcount4mc to view final totals by class and state and to view the social media board.

The Office of Institutional Advancement, who organized the event, is thankful to all the donors who contributed on this special day. The gifts make an impact for Meredith students and the entire campus community.