On September 21, 2023, Florida Atlantic University successfully hosted its first giving day in many years. It marked the utilization of a new crowdfunding platform and new payment processing system. The event required efforts to inform and engage our audience about the concept of Giving Day and its importance to our institution.

Florida Atlantic’s Giving Day was primary focused on donor engagement. This event targeted Florida Atlantic alumni, faculty and staff, parents, and friends of the university. On campus stewardship activities were organized for students that taught them about Giving Day 2023 and how they can make a difference. Most notably, the “Swag Cab,” on designated golf carts, challenged passengers to answer Florida Atlantic trivia questions for school swag, and the Owl scavenger hunt had the university community searching for plush owls around campus.

The event exceeded the set donor goal of 750 and engaged over 1,200 constituents. The event also raised over $217,000. The following week a thank you video was created of students saying, “thank you” and shared via email to all Giving Day donors and posted on all social media outlets. We also celebrated faculty and staff at an appreciation breakfast hosted by the FAU Foundation with a keynote thank you address by the university president.