UT has wrapped up its annual Big Orange Give online giving campaign with alumni and friends donating $1,466,207 in one week.
“For the third year in a row, our Volunteer family has exceeded our goals for the Big Orange Give campaign,” said Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “We are grateful to our alumni and friends for their enthusiasm for the campaign. Every donation makes a difference and moves us forward in our journey to become a Top 25 public research university.”
The third annual Big Orange Give generated 2,760 gifts from donors in all fifty states and four countries during the week leading up to the game against Alabama.
Nearly 80 percent of the gifts received during the Big Orange Give campaign were less than $100. Donors designated gifts toward specific colleges or departments, and nine colleges and the UT Libraries reached their goal during the campaign.
More than 200 gifts were made on UT’s VOLstarter crowdfunding site. Four VOLstarter projects were fully funded: a clean water initiative for Clay County, Kentucky, and scholarships for UT alumni chapters in Dallas/Fort Worth, Nashville, and Southern Middle Tennessee.
“It was incredible to see the power of many gifts come together to help us reach our Big Orange Give goal. This week showcases how every dollar, every donor truly makes an impact in the lives of current and future students,” said Scott Rabenold, vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs.
The original goal of the campaign was to raise $1 million. Two alumni pledged to match $500,000. The campaign kicked off at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, and concluded at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 26.
Although Big Orange Give is over, alumni and friends of the university can always contribute through the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development website.
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CONTACT:
Brooks Clark (865-974-5471, nclark5@utk.edu)