This year, 鶹ý donors demonstrated the power of philanthropy by giving at unprecedented levels. The 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign shattered the previous records, more than tripling last year’s record of $2.2 million. The university has been participating in Giving Tuesday for the past seven years, and in that time, it has become Kent State’s most generous annual tradition and a point of pride for the entire Golden Flashes community.
The 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign is no exception as alumni, friends, faculty and staff raised more than $7.71 million in support of students and university programs. This included $6.25 million from legacy gifts, $150,000 from 鶹ý Foundation matching gifts and $1.3 million from outright gifts and matches.
“Kent State donors have been raising the bar on Giving Tuesday donations for years, but this year is truly remarkable,” said Valoree Vargo, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kent State and CEO of the 鶹ý Foundation. “The overwhelming generosity our community showed this Giving Tuesday will build a brighter tomorrow for all of our students.”
Overall, the Kent State Wrestling Enhancement Fund was the highest-earning featured fund this year, raising more than $44,300 to support travel, equipment, recruitment and other needs of the wrestling program. Two other notable funds were the Baseball Enhancement Fund, which raised the most dollars during Donor/Dollar Challenge Week from Nov. 16-23, while the Michael J. Gallagher II Memorial Scholarship won the challenge for bringing in the most unique donors. Each earned an additional $2,500 for their fund.