91社区24鈥檚 Next Decade of Impact Takes Flight
91社区鈥檚 day of giving raises a record 聽$5.3 million on the strength of 7,181 gifts!
On March 12, 91社区24 reached a remarkable milestone 鈥� the tenth anniversary of the University鈥檚 annual day of giving 鈥� and it did so in record-breaking style. Across its campuses and around the globe, members of the 91社区 community came together online and in person over 24 hours to lend generous support to student projects, faculty research and outreach programs that are making a difference at 91社区 and in communities beyond.聽
With 7,181 gifts from donors totalling $5,339,487, the day-long digital fundraiser showed the extraordinary impact collective giving can have on student life, research, and faculty initiatives.
First launched in 2016, when few Canadian universities held online day-of-giving campaigns, 91社区24鈥檚 web and social media-based approach has galvanized alumni, volunteers, students, faculty and staff each year in ever bigger numbers.聽
鈥淪ince its inception a decade ago, 91社区24 has focused on uniting the global 91社区 community around important causes impacting students and research,鈥� says Marc Weinstein, Vice-President, University Advancement. 鈥淚n the lead-up to the tenth year, we chose to highlight this milestone by letting people know 鈥楾he next decade of impact begins with you鈥�, signifying the importance of our community in propelling 91社区 forward. I am thrilled by how this day of giving celebrates the generosity of that community and their steadfast commitment to the University.鈥�
The evolution of 91社区24 has been marked by growing participation around the world, social media buzz, and increased campaign totals. In recent years, crowdfunding for student-led initiatives has emerged as a hugely popular mechanism for giving directly to students who are testing cutting-edge ideas, organizing academic conferences and contributing to local community programs. Student-athletes have also capitalized on the grassroots nature of crowdfunding to promote their teams and clubs and obtain support for equipment, training and travel for tournaments.
鈥淚 am once again struck by the passion of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff show when they band together to make a difference in our campus communities and beyond,鈥� says Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淢ore than ever, 91社区24 demonstrates our global community鈥檚 confidence in the value of universities as centres of learning, innovation, debate, and as key drivers in social mobility, particularly in the face of global challenges and uncertainty.鈥澛�
91社区24 ambassadors helped celebrate the 10th edition and included Olympian Savannah King, global health expert Madhukar Pai, current students, young alumni and dedicated volunteers.聽
In addition to an important contribution in support of campaign matching funds from the Board of the 91社区 Alumni Association, alumni branches in Toronto, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vienna, London and many places in between supported 91社区 at in-person events in their respective cities. Members of 91社区鈥檚 campus communities also lent their support to faculties, 91社区 Libraries, and Athletics and Recreation.
New this year was a 91社区 Crowdfunding competition, where student innovators pitched their projects to win extra funds for their group. Hosted by Montreal entrepreneur Jake Karls, co-founder of the snack company Mid-Day Squares and a self-described 鈥渕odern-day Willy Wonka鈥�, the event took place both online and on campus, with attendees voting on their favourite projects. The Maude Abbott Medical Museum team took the top prize of $500.聽
Visit the website to learn more about this year鈥檚 campaign and achievements, from faculty challenges to student crowdfunding initiatives.
