Day of Giving Raises Over $1 Million for Student Emergency Fund

In the midst of a pandemic, it’s felt as though good news is hard to come by. However, there was plenty of good news to go around yesterday as the Division of Academic and Student Affairs raised more than $1.05 million for the Student Emergency Fund as part of NC State’s Day of Giving.

Originally scheduled in March, Day of Giving 2020 was postponed to Sept. 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Day of Giving is normally a joyous occasion meant to celebrate philanthropy and all things NC State, yesterday’s event focused on helping students directly through programs that help them succeed despite the extenuating circumstances and obstacles they are currently facing.

University-wide, $23,206,205 was raised through 8,222 gifts. In the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the fundraising focus was primarily on the Student Emergency Fund and the Student Success Fund. In total, the division raised $2,233,008.77 through 770 gifts.

The Student Emergency Fund, in particular, received $1,055,427.56 through 283 gifts. The Student Emergency Fund provides microgrants to eligible students to help them pay housing, food, and medical bills as well as purchase equipment for online classes. The program has been especially crucial for helping students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many experiencing sudden job loss and adjusting to remote education.

This Day of Giving, our mission was simple: raise funds to help our students during these difficult, unprecedented times.

“This Day of Giving, our mission was simple: raise funds to help our students during these difficult, unprecedented times,” said Nicole Peterson, executive director of development for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. “Our extraordinary Wolfpack community certainly rose to the occasion and proved that we are Stronger as a Pack. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our alumni, faculty/staff, parents, and even students who stepped up to help their fellow students.”

In addition to the satisfaction of helping students, the division was proud to receive the most gifts in the White Division for the second year in a row, and placed second in the White Division for total dollars raised. DASA also won several giving challenges on the day, including the 8,000th gift made online ($5,000), largest gift made between 10-11 p.m. ($2,000), and the social media challenge for We Are One Wolfpack ($2,000). 

As one of the largest organizations on campus, the Division of Academic and Student Affairs touches the lives of nearly every NC State student. In addition to the Student Emergency Fund, many donors gave to programs like the music department, the Technician Century Fund, Wellness and Recreation initiatives, Honors and Scholars, Undergraduate Research, and more. See more results from Day of Giving at dayofgiving.ncsu.edu.