NEWS

UM hopes to raise $1M on Giving Tuesday

Kim Kozlowski
The Detroit News

The University of Michigan announced Monday that it is piggybacking off a movement that encourages people to support their favorite charities after giving thanks and shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

UM’s online campaign, to be known as “Giving BlueDay,” seeks to raise $1 million on Dec. 2 by asking alumni and friends to support the university in any area they choose.

It will be held the same day as Giving Tuesday, a day of online giving now in its third year that has grown into a global movement of generosity.

Last year, the event raised an estimated $27 million, with more than 10,000 partner organizations in 50 states and more than 15 countries. This year, more than 15,000 organizations are involved.

“Everyone can be a philanthropist,” said Beverly Greenfield, director of media relations at 92nd Street Y, which launched Giving Tuesday three years ago in partnership with the United Nations Foundation.

“You don’t have to be giving a million dollars. This tries to get lot of organizations in front of people and encourages them to be involved in their communities.”

Giving money is one aspect, but the day is also an occasion when people donate their time.

“Giving Tuesday is about getting together and make a lot of news so we can get people focused on giving on a regular basis,” Greenfield said.

A handful of universities participated last year in Giving Tuesday, including Eastern Michigan University, which raised more than $150,000. EMU plans to participate again this year.

“We didn’t know what to expect last year, but were thrilled with the outcome and are looking forward to a great #GivingTuesday this December. We want to be involved and to promote the idea of ‘giving back,’” said Susan Rink, EMU director of planned giving.

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com

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