EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University is getting ready to participate in its seventh year of #GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, 2019.

This international day of charitable giving, celebrated on Eastern’s campus as #GIVINGTRUEDAY, serves as an opportunity for the EMU community to come together and make a difference in the lives of Eastern Michigan students.

As a response to consumerist holidays such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a movement originally founded in 2012 to create an international day of giving to kick-off the holiday season. EMU is encouraging all students, faculty, and alumni to participate by supporting the EMU project or fund they care about most. 

“There are countless opportunities to give to EMU – from major or program specific funds, student scholarships and faculty support across all colleges, student organizations, student services and more,” said Matt Mortier, director of donor relations for the EMU Foundation. “This year, we hope to continue to build on the excitement from past years' from our alumni and friends, our student organizations and athletics to help us spread our message of EMU’s good work even farther.”

Donors will have even more reason to give on Dec. 3 with gift matching opportunities. EMU’s Student Government has set aside $15,000 to match all donations made to the EMU Student Emergency Fund, which supports students who face unexpected and possibly life-altering hardship. Student Body President Ethan Smith, who has spearheaded the project, said far too often EMU students are forced to choose between basic necessities like paying for rent, paying for food and paying their tuition.

"Student Government is thrilled to be collaborating with the Foundation on developing the Student Emergency Fund,” says Smith. “In my opinion, there's no better way for the community to come together and make a difference than by putting financial resources directly in the hands of students who need it to continue their education. That's what community is, taking care of each other. And I'm proud that we're doing that at EMU." 

Learn more about the Student Emergency Fund and its impact on students here. 

Nearly 900 donors came together last year to raise $875,434 through a combination of grassroots fundraising, campus collaboration and major gifts. Every gift received on #GIVINGTRUEDAY has a direct impact on critical student services and programs such as the Student Emergency Fund. 

“#GIVINGTRUEDAY is a tremendous day to see the power of the EMU community in action,” said Mortier. “We are asking all our family and friends to make a gift and support opportunities for EMU students as well as sharing posts and crowdfunding projects on social media. Watch for updates throughout the day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the website.”

For more information, visit the  #GIVINGTRUEDAY website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 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; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; 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.