UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In what has become an annual University tradition, Penn State is preparing to launch its 11th GivingTuesday celebration. The day of giving will honor the institution’s founding year with an early Dec. 1 kickoff at 18:55 on the 24-hour clock — 6:55 p.m. ET — and conclude at midnight on Dec. 2.
The event stands to be the University’s biggest GivingTuesday yet with close to 200 participating campaigns representing scholarships, research, community outreach efforts and more. Nearly 70 of this year’s fundraising efforts showcase student organizations, the highest number of student-led campaigns to date.
Demonstrating the power of generosity, a growing number of University supporters have issued special giving challenges totaling more than $100,000 set to unlock when event-day fundraising goals are met. In advance of the event, community members are welcome to visit givingtuesday.psu.edu to make an early gift to any of the featured campaigns, and the event website provides directions for those interested in creating match or challenge gifts as well as event graphics that can be shared to social media.
For the first time this year, the University also will host a live, virtual GivingTuesday event. Noontime Knowledge: Fueling Penn State’s Momentum, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Dec. 2 via Zoom, providing attendees the opportunity to hear directly from student fundraisers representing THON and Movin’ On, as well as staff leading Student Care and Advocacy’s student emergency fund campaign. Registration is currently open and all are invited to attend.
Updates on fundraising progress will be available at givingtuesday.psu.edu beginning Dec.1, and @RaisePennState will be sharing stories, campaign information and event updates on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. For more information or questions about GivingTuesday, contact the Office of Annual Giving at 888-800-9163 or givingtuesday@psu.edu.
GivingTuesday at Penn State consistently draws participation from a growing number of alumni and supporters, and last year’s 10th anniversary event set new fundraising records with alumni, friends, families and fans collectively giving more than $1.7 million to support a wide range of campaigns. Over 9,700 individuals made gifts from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and seven additional countries. Nearly 2,000 of the contributions came from Penn Staters making their first gift to the University.
Gifts made on GivingTuesday will advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.