The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s fourth-annual Giving Day April 23 was a success, raising more than $660,000 and exceeding the goal of 1,000 donors in 24 hours with more than 1,100 donors from across the country.
“We had a banner Giving Day and across the board a record number of donors,” Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, said in a video message thanking donors. “We really, really appreciate all your support and we thank you for helping us in our mission and towards our vision of ‘Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.’”
The one-day philanthropic event encouraged donors to support the university with gifts of any size. Donations could be made for a specific college – Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy – or an initiative or program at UT Health Science Center. The UT Health Science Center Advisory Board led the way with 100% participation in Giving Day.
“UT Health Science Center is a philanthropic destination where all gifts make a difference,” Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brigitte Grant said. “It is affirming to see hundreds of individuals come together from within the state, and across the county, investing in the work going on every day for better health and health care.”
Giving Day, which is led by the Office of Advancement, was held on the same day as Student Appreciation Day this year. The Advancement team attended the event at the Student-Alumni Center on the Memphis campus to engage with students and encourage them to donate as they enjoyed a free lunch, games, and giveaways.
To thank donors for their support, UT Health Science Center will hold its first-ever Day of Gratitude Wednesday, May 1. Students, faculty, and staff can visit the Madison Plaza lobby or the General Education Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to record video messages or write personal notes to show their appreciation for the donors’ support and demonstrate how each gift makes a difference that extends beyond the university.
Giving Day served as an opportunity for donors to directly aid the university in its effort to improve health care and the overall health of people across the state, as laid out in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan is a five-year roadmap for the university which outlines the new mission, values, and vision: Health Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.
The university’s next major fundraising effort is the UT Health Science Center Family Campaign in September. The goal of the month-long campaign is to encourage a culture of philanthropy among the UT Health Science Center family – the faculty and staff – to benefit the students and the whole university.