Northeastern to celebrate second annual Giving Day

Students walk down the Snell Library steps on April 4, 2018. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern on Thursday will host its second annual Giving Day, a celebration inspiring the university’s global community to unite through a unique 24-hour period of philanthropic activities in support of  students, faculty, and academic programs.

Giving Day will be filled with fun events, quirky challenges, and one-of-a-kind opportunities for participants to showcase their Northeastern spirit on social media.

Use #NUGivingDay, follow @AlumniNU and @EmpowerNU on Twitter to get live updates, and make tax-deductible gifts through the fundraiser’s website. Need a reminder to participate? Text NUREMINDME to 51555.

Giving Day will be structured around more than 30 fundraising challenges, which will enable donors to unlock extra funds for their favorite schools, units, or programs while engaging in friendly competition. Some challenges will be daylong, while others will be hourly.

Six all-day challenges will focus exclusively on raising money for Northeastern’s schools and colleges. For one such challenge, a total of $50,000 will be added to the Dean’s funds at the three schools or colleges that receive the most Giving Day gifts.

Seven hourly challenges will ask donors to harness the power of social media to showoff their school spirit for a chance to unlock up to $1,000 for various causes and funds. Post from 4 to 6 p.m. a picture of your kids, family, or pet in Northeastern gear with #NUGivingDay, for example, and be entered to win $1,000 to the Northeastern fund of your choice.

Others challenges will play on Northeastern’s history. The fund that receives the 1,898th gift—1898 being the year the university was founded—will unlock an additional $2,000. The fund that receives the 2,740th gift, breaking the 2,739 gifts Northeastern received last year, will also receive an additional $2,000.

Events, both on campus and around the country, will be a big part of  Giving Day. On-campus events—which will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.—will include free food, giveaways, and lawn games. Here’s a full schedule.  The offices of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations will also host four Giving Day celebrations at popular restaurants in Miami, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Each of the events—which are free but require participants to pre-register—will include complimentary appetizers and drinks.