WMU Giving Day
Gift Officer Toolkit - FAQs
Giving Day Details
Western Michigan University’s annual Giving Day will take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. For one 24-hour period, thousands of students, alumni, and friends will help make a difference for Western Michigan University, and for current and future Broncos, through the power of collective giving. Our goal is to have as many supporters from our Bronco nation involved in 24-hours of support!
Timeline
On April 17, 2024, you can make your gift here from anywhere in the world between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
Website
Spirit
Experience WMU Giving Day
See what we can do in one day.
Social Media Tags
#wmugivingday
How to Give
While we encourage you to make your gift online on April 17, you can also mail checks made out to the WMU Foundation (include WMU Giving Day in the memo line). Checks must be received before 5 p.m. on April 17 to count toward Giving Day 2024. Our mailing address is:
WMU Foundation
Attn: Gift Processing
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49007-5403
Gifts can also be processed over the phone from 8 - 5 p.m. Simply call us at (269) 387-8700.
Our payment methods are secure, and the information collected during WMU Giving Day will be used only by Western Michigan University.
Company Matching Donations
We have opportunities for donors to increase their impact through company-matching donations. Find out if your employer matches gifts.
VIP Donors
Giving Day 2024 Committee has identified VIP individuals for a pre-giving day ask. Early asks will take place on Wednesday, April 4, and April 10, via email from WMU’s Advancement Communications team.
Giving Day Challenges
At Western, we have a culture of winning, and Giving Day is no different. We want to see our Broncos being competitive in the spirit of philanthropy. To encourage healthy competition, we have gift challenges that can be unlocked. Take a look at all of the Giving Day challenges.
For example, The $5k for 50 Challenge, Let’s see Bronco Pride coast to coast! Receiving gifts from Broncos living in all 50 states will unlock bonus funds for the WMU Student Scholarship Fund. Make the map solid gold on the Giving Day dashboard!
Pledges
Yes, we will count fulfilled pledge payments made on April 17, toward the Giving Day total. This will be a great opportunity to fulfill outstanding pledges and increase the day's excitement.
General FAQs
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A: We're using Donor Drive a peer-to-peer fundraising platform to help us get the word out. This digital platform can be shared via email, text, and social media with the ever-growing Bronco Nation.
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A: No matter the amount, your gift will matter to a student and to WMU. If you work for a matching gift company, you can double or sometimes triple the impact of your gift. Please check with your human resources office for matching gift information and forms.
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- Monday - Get the Scoop on Philanthropy - join the WMU Foundation at the student center on Monday, April 15 to learn more about the impacts of philanthropy. Students will learn more about the power of giving while enjoying a tasting ice cream treat!
- Tuesday - Yellow Bows for Scholarship Students - join the WMU Foundation at the Student Center on Tuesday, April 16 to witness the depth and breadth of scholarships. All WMU scholarship recipients are invited to the student center to receive a yellow bow to signify their merit in earning a scholarship. See the sea of scholarship support
- Wednesday - Giving Day Donor Chords - WMU Students have the opportunity to support their fellow Broncos by donating to the Alumni Association. In return, they will receive official WMU Donor Chords to wear proudly at graduation! Go Broncos!
- Thursday - Thank You - Today we will be expressing our gratitude through a multitude of channels and spaces. Stop by the WMU Student Center to participate in thank you banners and videos of thanks and celebration!
- Friday - Fan Day - Wear your WMU sporty gear and hype up our home team! Show your Bronco pride throughout campus.
- Saturday - WMU Spring Football Game - We are bookending the week with our celebratory exhibition Spring Football Game. Come out to Waldo Stadium for football and fun!
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A: March 14, 2024, will be our internal kick-off for any Bronco to create their Peer-to-Peer campaign through Donor Drive. This workshop will take place at the WMU Student Center to create campaign pages, social media posts, and content. Come one, come all! If you missed the tutorial, you can simply create your page following the step-by-step instructions.
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A: Unfortunately, there will not be any gift matching this year. Instead, we are encouraging donors to opt into Giving Day Challenges. This is an opportunity for donors to help us unlock funds at various levels. For example, $5k for 50 - Let’s see Bronco Pride coast to coast! Receiving gifts from Broncos living in all 50 states will unlock bonus funds for the WMU Student Scholarship Fund. Make the map solid gold on the Giving Day dashboard!
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A: Heck yes, anyone who donates $75 will receive a WMU-branded reusable tote bag!
NOTE: The tote is the only approved premium for Giving Day 2024, exclusive to donors who make a gift of $75 or more. For tax and legal reasons, you cannot offer any other premiums / gifts to incentivize donors.
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A: We’re excited to have our university partners participate. They can find more information on the Giving Day Toolkit webpage and/or should be referred to Melissa Beck at melissa.s.beck@wmich.edu. Please do not take on the extra role of Giving Day support person–we’re here to help!
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A: A rigorous four-day stewardship email plan has been created to thank our donors. VIP Thank you emails to Giving Day Success emails will be sent through Central Dispatch and ThankView. Review the WMU Giving Day Email Marketing Plan. Gift Officers should personally call and thank their assigned donors for an extra layer of stewardship.