TAMPA, Fla. (April 24, 2023) – The University of South Florida today announced a new Giving Week record. This year, more than 7,000 donors gave generously to support students on all three campuses. In total, the USF Foundation received more than $6.6 million, which is also a record amount, during the annual week-long event.
From April 10-14, alumni and friends came together to champion a wide variety of programs, from student scholarships to community health care initiatives. Of the 7,064 Giving Week donors, 1,152 gave to the university for the first time.
“We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of generosity from the University of South Florida community during our annual giving week,” USF President Rhea Law said. “Achieving new records for overall donor participation and the total amount of dollars raised reflects our community’s strong pride and passion for our university. The support we received will have a significant impact on our students and programs and will help us advance in our pursuit of becoming a top 25 public university.”
Many donors chose to support USF HerdFunder projects, crowdfunding initiatives where gifts of all sizes are pooled in order to support specific causes and initiatives in the USF community. Projects offered opportunities to give to all areas of the university, from digitizing library archives to supporting the new women’s lacrosse team. By the end of Giving Week, donors fully funded 14 HerdFunder projects.
Food pantries on all three campuses met and exceeded their set goals and are now better stocked, thanks to donors to those funds. In addition to monetary gifts, supporters donated hundreds of pantry items to the three campuses’ “Stock the Pantry” projects.
“This show of support by our alumni, friends, faculty and staff is truly fantastic,” USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said. “Our community cares deeply for our students and wants to see them and this university continue to reach new heights. We are so thankful for everyone’s generosity and passion in making Giving Week a resounding success.”
In total, donors supported 256 causes at the university during Giving Week. Many HerdFunder projects continue to accept donations. Supporters are encouraged to visit the USF Foundation website to learn more.
To view this story on the USF Newsroom website, click here.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
About the USF Foundation
The USF Foundation connects the university with donors who want to make a difference by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives, research, and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida. Our donors celebrate the energy, vision, and future of one of the country’s most exciting and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research, and our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance healthcare, science, technology, education, business, the arts and global partnerships. Learn more at www.giving.usf.edu.