GLOBAL GENEROSITY

Pitt reaches six continents, generates $9M in Day of Giving fund drive for academics

OK, so Antarctica apparently held back.

But residents of six other continents, 31 countries and all 50 states stepped up with gifts to advance learning and research endeavors by the region’s largest university.

In a single day, students, parents, faculty, staff and other University of Pittsburgh supporters generated $9 million-plus for scholarships, research and both academic and student activities, Pitt officials announced Monday.

The total collected during the school’s second-annual Day of Giving was the product of 3,358 donors, some as close as Oakland and others from nearly around the world. It eclipsed last year’s total of 1,695.

Pennsylvania accounted for 2,216 of the donations. But every other state, including Alaska and Hawaii, generated at least one gift.

According to a global map of the giving posted online by the university, donors from as far away as Argentina, Australia, Russia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia and Japan contributed.

The $9,029,828 garnered Wednesday was a philanthropic demonstration of the university’s reach. The event coincided with the the university’s Founder’s Day in 1787.

Among employees, 808 donated, doubling last year’s 371.

“Our main goal was to engage the entire Pitt community and build awareness of how giving advances Pitt’s mission,” said Kris Davitt, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and president of the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation

Social media helped. The hashtag #PittDayOfGiving garnered 2.88 million impressions over the 24hour fundraising event, according to university officials. It was the top trending hashtag in Pittsburgh throughout the day, officials said.

“Pitt gave me some of the greatest memories, friends, and experiences possible. It was only fitting that I finally gave back for the first time on today’s #PittDayOfGiving! Forever Panther Proud! #H2P,” tweeted Jonathan Adams (SCI ‘11).