March 10, 2022
Contact: Stephanie Fleming, 573-882-8353, sfleming@missouri.edu
University of Missouri Advancement officials announced today that 2,652 gifts were made during the fifth annual Mizzou Giving Day, raising a total of $4,044,771. Mizzou Giving Day, which was celebrated from noon Wednesday, March 9, through noon Thursday, March 10, is the university’s campaign to inspire donors to support MU through giving, social media challenges and matching gift opportunities.
“Tigers really came together this year for all the ways Mizzou is making a difference – from student support to the arts, world-class research and care to building a championship culture. Every gift – regardless of size – matters on Mizzou Giving Day because we’re showing what can happen when our community comes together to make a big impact,” said Jackie Lewis, vice chancellor for Advancement. “I am grateful to every donor who stepped up to make a difference. Thank you.”
Following this year’s theme of “Raise the Roar,” units, schools and colleges engaged in friendly competitions to see which could inspire the most donations. Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA), the School of Journalism and Intercollegiate Athletics received the highest number of gifts. MAA came out on top with 497 gifts, while the School of Journalism won the battle of the schools and colleges with 483 gifts. Social media challenges elevated engagement on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as friends and supporters participated in posts like the “Recommend a Book” challenge sponsored by MU Libraries, “Favorite Places” challenge sponsored by MU International Programs and MU Health Care’s “Little Tigers” challenge.
Donors could contribute to any Mizzou fund during the drive, including these special initiative funds:
- The Sinclair School of Nursing encouraged donors to represent their class year in their Giving Day challenges. The class of 1977 surpassed its $10,000 goal to support the new simulation lab and fund the purchase of realistic IV training arms and replacement skins.
- Members of the Mizzou Alumni Association’s Board of Directors matched up to $13,000 of gifts made to the Mizzou Traditions Funds for this year’s Giving Day, which supports leadership programming, scholarships and Homecoming.
Highlights from this year’s Giving Day include a $100 donation from Beckett Flannery, an 11-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist who raised money selling Beckett’s Bark Bites dog treats. His donation to the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic will help provide legal services to veterans and provide hands-on learning for law students.
Another donor made a gift to the College of Veterinary Medicine in honor of the mule team, as her family has raised draft mules for more than 40 years.
The Chancellor’s Fund for Excellence committee came together to raise critical funds for key university initiatives. The fund supports important initiatives such as the Discovery Fellows, a program in the Honors College. Committee chair Don Flora challenged committee members and past donors to give 10% more than their gift from last year. This challenge spurred gifts totaling $154,640.
“I want to thank each and every one of our donors who contributed to Mizzou Giving Day,” said Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri. “We cannot address today’s grand challenges without the support of our extended Mizzou community, and the generosity of this year’s donors will benefit the university for years to come.”
