Northeastern University will celebrate its fourth annual Giving Day on Thursday, April 8, a daylong philanthropic event created to strengthen ties in the Northeastern community and raise funds for student groups and organizations on campus.

Throughout the 24-hour fundraising blitz, the university will host special challenges—most of which are tied to the number of donors a specific group or fund receives, not the worth of the donations themselves—to encourage parents, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and others in the Northeastern community to support causes they believe in.

For example, if the LGBTQA Center receives 50 donations of any amount on Giving Day, Northeastern’s Senior Director of Stewardship David Hough will join with anonymous donors to donate $10,000 to the center. Some of the challenge funding comes directly from donors and some is made available via the university.

“This is not about who can give the biggest amount; we have people each year donating a dollar here or there where they can,” says Rick Davis, vice president for alumni relations and one of the organizers of Giving Day. “This is about engaging with the organizations and causes that matter to you.”

The small donations add up, though—in 2019, the university raised more than $1 million from 14,000 donations, money that was distributed to almost 900 clubs, teams, and organizations on campus.

Last year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers postponed Giving Day and encouraged those who would have donated to allocate all funding toward Northeastern’s We Care emergency fund, which provides short-term financial assistance to students during the public health crisis.

Organizers hope to set new records this year, they say. Throughout the day on April 8, donors, recipients, and people just curious about Giving Day can keep an eye on a live leaderboard and heat map that will track where in the world donations come from.

“I’m just so proud about how many worthy, relevant causes are elevated each year on Giving Day, and this year especially,” says Davis, who adds that more groups are participating this year than ever before. “We’re here, and we’re ready for you; whatever you care about or think is a top priority right now, we have a fund for it.”

Take a look through some of the challenges, below. A full list also can be found online.

All-day challenges

Club sports challenge

The top three club sports teams with the most donations will receive challenge dollars. The team in first place will receive a donation of $3,000; the team in second place will receive $1,000; and the team in third place will receive $1,000.

Hidden husky challenge

Stuffed huskies are hidden around Northeastern’s Boston campus. If students find one and post a picture of themselves with the husky using the hashtag #NUGivingDay, they have the chance to earn $600 for a Northeastern cause of choice. Ten huskies have been hidden, and five posts will be selected to allocate $600 each in funds at 3 p.m. EDT.

Challenge of the colleges

The top three schools or colleges with the highest number of donations will receive challenge awards to their dean’s funds. The school in first place will receive a donation of $30,000; the school in second place will receive $15,000; and the school in third place will receive $10,000.

Co-op challenge

For every gift of $25 or more made to the Parents, Alumni and Friends Co-op Support Fund, $100 in matching funds will be donated—up to $10,000.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion challenge

If Diversity, Equity and Inclusion receives 75 gifts of $25 or more, $10,000 will be donated to support the priorities of Northeastern’s newly appointed chief inclusion officer, Karl Reid

Student challenge

The 100th student gift will unlock $5,000 to be directed to the fund of the donor’s choice.

Women Who Empower challenge

Northeastern’s Senior Vice President Diane MacGillivray will match all gifts to Women Who Empower up to $20,000.

Senior challenge

Calling all seniors: Donors between 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. EDT on Giving Day will have the chance to direct a total of $5,000 to a fund of choice. Ten senior donors will be randomly chosen to allocate $500 each.

University Honors Program challenge

Alumnus Sean O’Donnell will match $100 for every gift the University Honors Program receives on Giving Day, up to $3,000.

LGBTQA Center challenge

If 50 gifts are made to the LGBTQA Center, Northeastern’s Senior Director of Stewardship David Hough will join with anonymous donors to donate $10,000 to the Center.

University Health and Counseling Services challenge

Northeastern’s Parents Leadership Council will join with an anonymous donor to donate $10,000 to UHCS if 50 donations are made to the UHCS fund.

Global Experience fund challenge

If 75 gifts are made to the Global Experience Fund on Giving Day, an additional $5,000 will be donated to support the First-Time Travelers Grant.

Timed challenges

6-10 a.m. EDT

Young Alumni challenge

The fund with the most Young Alumni gifts (which includes the classes of 2011-2020) will receive a donation of $5,000.

Favorite cause challenge

Post about the school, unit, or program that you believe deserves extra Giving Day funds and use the hashtag #NUGivingDay for a chance to donate $1,000 to that fund. Two winners will be randomly selected.

 

10-11 a.m. EDT

East Coast NU power hour 

The fund that receives the most money during this hour will unlock $5,000 worth of challenge dollars.

 

10 a.m.-12 p.m. EDT

Throwback Thursday challenge

Post a picture of your favorite Northeastern memory with the hashtag #NUGivingDay for a chance to win $1,000 for a fund of your choice. Two winners will be selected. 

 

12-2 p.m. EDT

Proud to be a Husky challenge

Post “I’m proud to be a Husky because …” with the hashtag #NUGivingDay to unlock $1,000 for a fund of your choice. Two winners will be selected. 

East Coast college timed kicker challenge

An anonymous donor will step forward to challenge the East Coast Northeastern community to make a gift during their lunch break. The college that raises the most money between 12-2 p.m. EDT will win an extra $5,000.

 

3-5 p.m. EDT

West Coast college timed kicker challenge

An anonymous donor will step forward to challenge the West Coast Northeastern community to make a gift during their lunch break. The college that raises the most money between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. EDT will win an extra $5,000.

 

4-6 p.m. EDT

Student organization challenge

The student organization with the most gifts at this time will receive $4,000.

Family spirit challenge

Post a picture of your family, child, or pet in Northeastern gear with the hashtag #NUGivingDay for a chance to win $1,000 to a fund of your choice. Two winners will be selected. 

 

6-9 p.m. EDT

Most alumni challenge

The fund with the greatest number of alumni gifts will receive an extra $5,000.

 

9-10 p.m. EDT

West Coast power hour

The fund that receives the most money during this hour will unlock an extra $5,000 donation. 

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