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Helping With a Hashtag

Social media challenges fuel Day of Giving.

By most anyone’s count, NC State’s 2021 Day of Giving was a success. The day brought in $58.1 million from more than 10,000 donors from all 50 states and from 23 countries.

But the 24 hours of designated philanthropy is not just about encouraging alumni and friends of the university to donate money. It’s also about making sure students and others who may not be able to give can get excited and show their support for something about NC State that means the most to them.

Alumni Association Stats

$63,290

The total raised for Alumni Association scholarships and initiatives.

7+

The hours spent at the top of the University Priorities leaderboard — earning $5,872 in bonus funds.

6

The hourly and social media challenge wins that totaled $9,000.

That was the point of some of the social media challenges that gave participants a chance to direct money from a designated pool of $25,000 to the college, program or department of their choice. One challenge in particular brought out students involved with groups like the marching band and chorale ensembles, who used the hashtag “GivingPack” and tagged @NCStateMusic. They won more than $5,000 to help the music department offset budget impacts of COVID-19.

“It allows students, who might not have the means to make a gift, to create an action that would result in extra money for their department,” says Drew Sykes ’08, director of NC State’s social media strategy hub.

Another popular challenge was called “Pack Pets.” Participants posted photos of pets wearing NC State gear and tagged their favorite college, program or department. Judges picked the top two posts, with winners earning $1,500 each. (This year’s winners were the Wilson College of Textiles and the Alumni Association.)

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