Purdue Day of Giving

Purdue Day of Giving
Name	Purdue Day of Giving
Status	Active
Frequency	Annual
Date	Varies
Location	West Lafayette, Indiana
First	2013
Participants	Donors, alumni, students, faculty, staff

Purdue Day of Giving

Purdue Day of Giving is an annual fundraising event hosted by Purdue University that mobilizes alumni, students, faculty, staff, and supporters to contribute to campus programs, scholarships, research, and facilities. The campaign leverages coordinated outreach across social media platforms, email networks, regional chapters, and corporate partners to concentrate charitable gifts within a 24-hour window. Organized by development and advancement offices, the event often features participation from university leadership, athletic departments, academic colleges, and student organizations.

Overview

Purdue Day of Giving brings together stakeholders associated with Purdue University, including units such as the Purdue University College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, Purdue University College of Agriculture, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, and Honors College. The campaign typically involves collaborations with entities such as the Purdue Alumni Association, Boilermaker Special, Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue Athletic Department, and campus initiatives like the Purdue Student Government. Promotion frequently appears on platforms operated by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and streaming services like YouTube with engagement from figures tied to West Lafayette, Indiana, Indiana University, and regional philanthropic organizations.

History

The event originated in the 2010s, initiated by development professionals at Purdue University and coordinated with peer institutions such as Indiana University Bloomington and national models like University of Michigan giving days and Boston College campaigns. Early iterations included partnerships with technology vendors and donor networks, drawing attention from alumni chapters in cities such as Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco. Over time the campaign reflected trends seen in fundraising at institutions like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and Harvard University, adapting peer strategies from organizations such as CASE and Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Organization and Fundraising Mechanisms

Administrative oversight is provided by the Office of Development and the Office of Alumni Relations within Purdue University, with strategic input from the Purdue Foundation and the Purdue Research Foundation. Fundraising mechanisms include online giving forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, challenge grants from donors and corporations, employer matching gifts arranged through companies like Caterpillar Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Boeing, General Motors, Rolls-Royce, and Intel Corporation. The campaign uses fundraising tools and software similar to those provided by Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, Classy, and GiveCampus, and incorporates gamification elements inspired by practices at Northwestern University and University of Texas at Austin. Stewardship and donor recognition protocols reference standards from AFP and internal policies aligned with Indiana state nonprofit guidance.

Impact and Beneficiaries

Gifts support a range of beneficiaries across campus including scholarship programs like those administered by the Purdue Honors College, research centers such as the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, facilities improvements at venues like Mackey Arena and Ross-Ade Stadium, and academic initiatives in collaboration with units including the College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Computer Science, and School of Mechanical Engineering. Beneficiaries also include student organizations such as Purdue Student Government, Purdue Marching Band, professional societies like IEEE student branches, and community outreach programs connected to Purdue Extension and local partners in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Funding supports research that partners with agencies and firms such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, NASA, and corporate research collaborators.

Notable Campaigns and Milestones

Milestones have included record-breaking giving days that surpassed totals reached by comparable events at Ohio State University and Michigan State University, corporate challenge matches from entities with links to Purdue University Global alumni and former trustees, and targeted drives for emergency relief after regional events affecting Lafayette, Indiana and surrounding communities. Campaigns have spotlighted centennial or bicentennial themes tied to donors with affiliations to firms like Simon Property Group and Gartner, and leveraged celebrity endorsements from alumni or supporters with associations to Boiler Up traditions and athletic figures from Big Ten Conference competition. Strategic milestones often coincide with homecoming events, commencement celebrations, and marquee athletics contests including Boilermaker Special appearances and football matchups against Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Participation and Volunteer Engagement

Participation is driven by alumni chapters in metropolitan areas such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Seattle, Phoenix, and international chapters in Beijing, London, Toronto, and Dubai. Volunteer engagement includes student ambassadors coordinated by Purdue Student Government, college development officers, regional volunteers in collaboration with Purdue Alumni Association networks, and corporate volunteer leaders from partners like Cummins Inc. and Raytheon Technologies. Activities range from peer solicitation, social media amplification, call-a-thons hosted in venues like Horticulture Gardens and campus centers, to event management at sites such as Purdue Memorial Union.

Category:Purdue University