Clemson Family breaks record for gifts on annual Give Day

Charitable giving reached a record $6,333,884 during the 7th annual Clemson University 24-hour Give Day on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Cash, new pledges and a multi-million-dollar estate gift made up this year’s total.

Contributions poured in by mail, phone, online through the dedicated Give Day website, along with in-person contributions collected by volunteers and staff on campus.

In total, 2,674 individual donors contributed in an effort to help the University change the lives of students and offer a full Clemson Experience. The money will:

• Provide funding for scholarships that bring the best and brightest to Clemson.
• Grant resources to esteemed faculty for groundbreaking research.
• Enhance Clemson facilities to match the needs of the campus.
• Create unforgettable Clemson experiences for the next generation of Tigers.

“It amazes me how the Clemson Family always joins together to support our students and make a positive impact on the educational offerings and services the University provides,” said Brian O’Rourke, vice president for Advancement. “This collective effort, and the results it produces, is what faculty, staff, students — and even prospective students — recognize as the Family atmosphere and an essential portion of the Clemson Experience. This is what we all want to expand and share, and each contribution helps do that.”

Last year, $1,772,848 was given from 2,088 donors who primarily contributed online.

“Our Clemson Family did it again. One special day will make a lasting effect on the University for years to come,” said Ann Smith, senior director of annual giving. “Our on-campus event successfully reached students, faculty and staff, and Give Day extended outside of campus boundaries to Clemson Clubs and affinity groups all across the country. People participate at all giving levels on Give Day, and we are grateful for each gift and a very successful Give Day.”

This year’s campaign featured three challenge donors who encouraged fellow Tigers to make their Give Day gifts.

• Mike ’89 and Clarkie Brown pledged a gift of $250,000 to create the Michael J. Brown ’89 & Clarkie Hicks Brown Scholarship Endowment for Mechanical Engineering.
• Vice President of University Relations and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Amy Burns Smith ’92 and her family made a commitment of $50,000 to create unforgettable experiences for students studying abroad.
• Paul ’03 and Stacy ’04 Pennell made their annual gift on Give Day, and their continued membership in the President’s Club, along with those who give between $1000 and $2500 each year, inspired others to join them.

Faculty, staff, alumni and friends were encouraged to participate on social media by using #ClemsonGiveDay.

Since the inaugural Give Day in 2016, the Clemson Family has given more than $14,650,110 in support of the annual event. Give Day is one of many events which highlights the strong engagement of Clemson alumni. This alumni support has earned the University the No. 3 spot for alumni participation among public institutions in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report annual rankings.