Giving Blueday 2023 brings community together to support U-M

By Eric Gallippo | Art by Adam Beeman

Donors from across the University of Michigan community—and around the world—gave more than $5.3 million to support U‑M initiatives, programs, organizations, and more on Giving Blueday, U‑M’s annual day of giving.

On the university’s ninth Giving Blueday, held March 15, 11,200 Michigan students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends made gifts of all sizes to support all three campuses and Michigan Medicine.

These were significant increases over last year and included gifts from more than 30 countries, all 50 states, and 6 continents.

“Giving Blueday is such a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish—even in a short amount of time—when everyone pitches in what they can,” said Vice President for Development Tom Baird. “The U‑M community’s generosity is more than inspiring; it also makes a real impact on everything we do here at Michigan, from research to student experiences to partnerships that better our world.”

More than 130 student organizations raised funds for their causes. Among those were Flywheel Ultimate Frisbee, UM-Dearborn’s PRIDE, and UM-Flint’s Wolverine Essentials.

The student organization that received gifts from the most donors through the Giving Blueday website was Engineering Global Leadership Honors Society, while the unit that received the most gifts was LSA.

More than 19 different challenges, including the Student Org – Raise the Bar Challenge and Cuteness Overload Challenge, encouraged people to give throughout the day to unlock additional funds for their causes.

Student organizations and causes, including Black Business Undergraduate Society: BBUS Scholarship and MRacing Formula SAE, won giving challenges, and donors who posted about Giving Blueday on social media also had a chance to increase their donations by winning social challenges.

More than 81,000 donors have given a total of nearly $40 million on Giving Blueday since it started in 2014.