Big Orange Give, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s annual day of giving, will take place Wednesday, November 13. The goal is to raise $2.25 million in just 24 hours with the support and enthusiasm of all Tennessee Volunteers.
Since 2013, Big Orange Give contributions have made an impact in areas all across campus, including student scholarships, key research, support for faculty, improvements to living and learning environments, and more.
This year’s target of $2.25 million is no arbitrary number. UT is celebrating its 225th anniversary, and funds raised during Big Orange Give will help support a vibrant future for the state’s land-grant flagship university and all who benefit from it.
During Big Orange Give, donors can designate their gifts to any area of campus, such as a specific college or student-led organization. Gifts can also support some of UT’s many cultural and learning centers like the Clarence Brown Theatre, McClung Museum, UT Libraries, and WUOT and WUTK radio stations.
“Thanks to UT’s generous donors, Big Orange Give has been very successful in past years, which is why we’ve set an even more ambitious goal this year,” said Lauren Herbstritt, director of advancement for annual giving. “We have several dollar-for-dollar matches in place this year, too. Gifts made during Big Orange Give could be matched up to $225, making an even bigger impact to the area of campus the donor chooses to support.”
This year’s campaign has a special challenge: if the Volunteer family raises $1.25 million, the Knoxville-based Regal Foundation and Richard and Mary Antonucci will contribute $1 million to Tennessee Pledge scholarships, bringing the total to $2.25 million.
Throughout the week, students across campus will have the opportunity to participate in special events such as the Big Orange Give Class Cab, a “Donors are the Key to Success” game, and a live thermometer to track the campaign’s progress. Additionally, seniors will be encouraged to give back through Senior Impact, donating a gift that reflects their graduation year—$20.19 for fall graduates and $20.20 for spring.
About the Join the Journey Campaign
As the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, aspires to become a preeminent institution, the Join the Journey campaign will assist in positioning the university among the nation’s elite. The comprehensive fundraising campaign focuses on increasing support for undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty support, college priorities, and athletics. The funds raised will create a student experience that reaches beyond the ordinary, shaping the next generation of leaders for the state, nation, and world.
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CONTACT:
Mallorie Mendence (865-974-5801, mmendenc@utk.edu)