Big Orange Family Campaign Underway

On Monday, UT launched the second annual Big Orange Family Campaign. This year’s theme is “I Believe,” and the goal is to increase participation among faculty and staff members to 55 percent.

Last year, 1,370 new donors took part in the Big Orange Family Campaign, bringing the participation rate among faculty and staff to a remarkable 47 percent. Many departments and units had 100 percent participation.

In all, faculty and staff members gave more than $800,000 to UT Knoxville.

“Participation is the primary goal,” says Lance Taylor, director of annual giving and student philanthropy. “It’s not the amount of your gift, but your participation that counts. And we include any faculty and staff member who makes a gift between July 1 and February 28.”

Each donor will receive an “I Believe” button or bracelet and will be encouraged to post photos on social media noting your participation.

Gifts can be made through payroll deduction, or as a one-time gift online.
 Contributors can choose to designate their gift to any college, department, program, scholarship, or pre-established gift fund.

“We very much appreciate the support of UT faculty and staff,” says Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “Your gifts move us closer to our goal of becoming a Top 25 public research university, and they make a difference in the lives of our current and future students.”

More information about the Big Orange Family Campaign is available on the VolsConnect website.