Oklahoma City University’s annual TrueBlueOCU Giving Day fundraising campaign surpassed last year’s record-setting total, raising more than half a million dollars.
The campaign collected $541,561 from the generosity of 1,123 donors over the 24-hour period. The total broke the previous year’s record amount of $461,236 and exceeded the $500,000 targeted goal. The Giving Day campaign celebrated the university’s 121st birthday.
OCU President Kenneth Evans said the back-to-back record breakings are evidence of the generosity of the university’s supporters and the hard work by those within the Office of University Advancement, who help organize Giving Day.
“We are amazed, but not surprised, by the strong support from our OCU family,” Evans said. “Our community has stepped up time and time again to help us with our mission, and we very much appreciate the confidence and support they provide as we go about our work.”
The largest donor group was university alumni, who made up 40% of all donors. Other groups included OCU faculty and staff, friends of the university, parents and students.
The Dean’s Challenge has become an annual tradition, and this year it was centered around a competition called “The Great OCU Bakeoff.” Deans from the schools and colleges gathered in the Good Girl Chocolate kitchen, owned by alumna Tabitha Carr (BS Biology ’00, MBA ’03) to apply their creative skills to decorating cakes. In this case, “buying” votes was acceptable, as the winner would be determined by the amount each dean was able to raise.
Dean Melanie Shelley won this year’s challenge with 177 donors casting their vote and raising $30,000 for the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.
Alumni chapters also participated, with gifts designated by chapters in New York, Chicago, Tulsa, Dallas and Los Angeles.
Donations came in from all but eight U.S. states. Outside of Oklahoma, Texas was the next-leading state for participation with 44 donors.
There were also several successful matching challenges including one sponsored by the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, another from the Board of Trustees, and others for the individual colleges.
Vice President of University Advancement Koby Harrington expressed his appreciation to donors.
“Beyond raising funds, Giving Day represents a successful team effort and a reaffirmation of our stated mission: ‘Inspired by a culture of creativity, Oklahoma City University fosters an immersive, personalized experience that welcomes and prepares students to pursue boundless opportunities,’” Harrington said. “The results of this vital campaign are a testament from our donors that OCU and its students are important to them, and we appreciate their support.”
