Annual Great Give to raise funds for university programs, scholarships

Members of the Florida State University community can contribute funds toward academic programs and scholarships during FSU’s Great Give, a 36-hour online campaign sponsored by the FSU Foundation’s Annual Giving department.

To make a contribution, visit greatgive.fsu.edu between 9 a.m. Thursday, April 17, and 9 p.m. Friday, April 18.

FSU’s Great Give allows individual colleges and units within the university to create featured projects that benefit initiatives that may not be funded otherwise. Projects can be viewed online.

“It’s important to communicate to the FSU community that any size gift, whether $100 or $1,000, will have an impact on the success of the university,” said Marjorie Mahan, assistant director of Annual Giving at the Florida State University Foundation. “The featured projects will give donors a chance to support a particular college or unit initiative that speaks to them, whether it’s scholarships, student support or new instruments for the Marching Chiefs.”

The Foundation is encouraging the use of social media, email and word of mouth to promote the campaign, according to Mahan.

“We want our donors to challenge their families and friends to make a gift,” she said.

Throughout the 36-hour duration of FSU’s Great Give, Foundation staff will use social media to provide updates on the progress of each college and unit’s fundraising goals. To receive updates, like FSU’s Great Give on Facebook at facebook.com/FSUGreatGive or follow @FSUGreatGive on Twitter.

A separate but similar campaign, the 25 for 25 Faculty and Staff Campaign, supports Florida State’s goal of achieving a Top 25 ranking among all public universities. Any online gift made during FSU’s Great Give with a denomination of 25 — $25, $125 or $2,500 and so on — will be counted toward both campaigns.