Volunteers work during the second annual Comets Giving Day last April, which raised $389,000. The program is targeting 3,000 individual donations for this year’s event.

The third annual Comets Giving Day is coming up Tuesday, April 2, with a challenge to raise 3,000 individual donations on the largest single day of giving at The University of Texas at Dallas.

The 18-hour fundraising initiative brings together alumni, students, parents, faculty, friends and staff for an opportunity to make an extraordinary impact across campus.

Last year more than 2,000 gifts of all sizes contributed to a final total of $389,000, nearly doubling the amount raised during the first Giving Day in 2017.

“Our University was founded to give graduates the tools needed to make a real difference in the world,” said Kyle Edgington PhD’13, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Comets Giving Day has shown that this impact can be made right here on campus when Comets give back to support the people and programs that have helped them along the way.”

Individual donations will be enhanced by special challenges and gift-matching opportunities throughout the day. Contributions made to certain areas of the University or during certain times of the day will trigger additional gifts made possible by generous sponsors. Current challenges and matches can be found on the Giving Day website.

“There are so many different ways to give. Whatever your interest is, you can give toward that and be a small part of not just one person’s future, but also the entire University community.”

UT Dallas alumna Nicole Tucker, who is matching donations to the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences up to $3,000 on Comets Giving Day

One such challenge was created by Nicole Tucker BA’04. Any gift made to support the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences will be matched dollar for dollar by Tucker, up to $3,000. Similar incentives exist for programs in each school so Giving Day participants can maximize their support for the areas of the University that mean the most to them.

“There are so many different ways to give,” Tucker said. “Whatever your interest is, you can give toward that and be a small part of not just one person’s future, but also the entire University community.”

Online gifts can be made from 6 a.m. to midnight. An in-person giving station will be set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Margaret McDermott Trellis Plaza, where participants can also help thank donors and generate excitement on social media.

From 6 a.m. to midnight, participants can use the hashtag #COMETogetherUTD to join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and follow along with live leaderboards on the Giving Day website.

“Every member of our community is invited to be a part of this special day,” Edgington said. “No matter the size of your gift, your participation plays a role in building the future of UT Dallas.”

Several affiliated events will take place across campus throughout the day, including performances from the Jonelle and Bryce Jordan Scholars and a showcase outside the Erik Jonsson Academic Center at 2:30 p.m. from the theater class of Shelby Hibbs, assistant clinical professor of arts and humanities. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a “social media and a slice” challenge will be held in Karl Hoblitzelle Hall, where students, faculty and staff can take pictures and enjoy pizza while supplies last.

Become a Giving Day Digital Ambassador

During the campaign, digital ambassadors build enthusiasm and encourage giving by:

  • Posting on social media to promote a larger outreach for the University;
  • Sharing messages and encouraging alumni and friends to support UT Dallas;
  • Participating in exclusive Comets Giving Day challenges; and
  • Helping designate additional funds to favorite campus entities.

Last year, ambassador outreach accounted for more than 700 of the gifts collected on Giving Day. Visit the Comets Giving Day ambassador page for more information and to sign up.