EMU promoting local pride with #GivingTRUEDay on Nov. 28

Day of giving sees steady growth at Eastern; groups of alumni, faculty help with matching donations

EMU promoting local pride with #GivingTRUEDay on Nov. 28
Eastern Michigan University is participating in Giving Tuesday this Nov. 28. #GivingTRUEDay
Be True and Give Back on Nov. 28

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University is putting its own touch on a global movement this year with #GivingTRUEDay on Nov. 28.

The EMU community is participating in the global day of giving back known as #GivingTuesday. Started in 2012 as a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the holiday season, Giving Tuesday is a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends are being asked to be TRUEMU and give to the causes on campus they care about most. The post-Black Friday day of giving has seen steady growth at EMU. In 2016, the University was able to raise $270,000 from more than 770 donors.

The goal for 2017 is to increase giving by 45 percent, according to Carole Booms, '91, '98, director of annual giving for the EMU Foundation.

“Our planning has expanded from social media outreach to include student organizations that have chosen to support Swoop's Student Food Pantry and the Student Emergency Fund,” said Booms. “Many of our alumni chapters are gearing up to participate as well as our colleges and athletics. The College of Arts and Sciences will be holding a day-long event in Pray-Harrold to raise awareness of the good works individuals can support within the school. In addition, WEMU will have an on-air fund drive and public jam session in King Hall. Our Foundation and Alumni boards will have a friendly challenge to reach 100 percent participation.

“This is a tremendous day to see the power of the EMU community in action. Watch for updates and stories throughout the day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.”

As further incentive to give back on #GivingTRUEDay, several donors have stepped up to provide generous matching funds. The Arm of Honor Alumni Chapter has pledged to match all donations to Swoop's Food Pantry up to $1,000, and Keith Mantis, '76, is providing a matching gift of $10,000 in support of the College of Business’s student organizations. For each dollar given to the COB Student Organization Development Fund, Mantis will match 1:1 until the $10,000 threshold is met.

In addition, five faculty members from the Master's in Prosthetics and Orthotics program have pooled their gifts to offer a match up to $1,500 for gifts to two funds within their department that support scholarship and student activities.

“We are extremely grateful to all those who are partnering with us to support students in so many different ways," Booms said. "We encourage those who want to learn more about how they can find their passion on campus to contact the Foundation.”

EMU Foundation staff and volunteers will be engaging the university community throughout the day at the Student Center on Nov. 28 as part of the day of giving. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by to record a thank you message, take a #GivingTRUEDAY picture, and write personal thank you messages that will be sent to everyone who donates. All faculty and staff are invited to a social reception from 3-5 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge in McKenny Hall with food and refreshments and fun giveaways.

A complete list of programs and #GivingTRUEDay initiatives can be found on the Foundation website.

So mark your calendars for Nov. 28 and give back on #GivingTRUEDay!

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

November 17, 2017

Written by:
Austen Smith

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400