BGSU One Day Showed power of Falcons Working Together for Common Cause

BGSU One Day 2018 was a resounding success, thanks to the efforts and generosity of the University community. During the 36-hour event that began the morning of April 3, BGSU raised more than $388,654 – surpassing last year’s total by $61,662. Faculty, staff, retirees and alumni all pitched in to raise money for student scholarships and to show support for their favorite programs or colleges, contributing 1,482 gifts. These gifts will serve every area campus – from gap scholarships and study abroad programs, to helping our military students and supporting diversity initiatives.

The Falcon Club Scholarship and Success Fund topped the leaderboard with nearly $45,000 in donations. This fund is the primary vehicle to support BGSU Athletics and was created to provide scholarship support to the 400-plus student-athletes who represent BGSU on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

BGSU spread the word about its second annual day of giving through emails, online and social media, and alumni responded enthusiastically, helping to significantly exceed the goal. Donations came from members of the class of 1954 all the way up to the future graduating class of 2023, and several alumni funded matching gift challenges to help incentivize others to give.

Corporate partners also played an important role in driving up the Giving Day total with challenge gifts. For every donation to scholarship support in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, Invenergy committed to donating $1,000 up to $25,000. First Solar made a similar pledge to support Falcon BEST Robotics.

“We are so proud that the University community and Falcon nation came together to make our second annual day of giving even more successful than the first,” said Jenny Wensink, director of annual giving and alumni relations. “It is so inspiring to see how the power of Falcon philanthropy, from all 50 states, impacts our students. Thank you to everyone who made a gift, shared on social media, and served as ambassadors for BGSU One Day!”

Visit the BGSU One Day site to see what Falcons on campus and off accomplished, as well as a special thank you from President Rodney Rogers.