Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday marks the start of the giving season and encourages people to give back by supporting charitable causes.
Last year, thousands of organizations around the world joined the movement by hosting their own Giving Tuesday events, and this year URI is jumping on board.
We sat down with Bernadine Sadwin, director of annual giving at the URI Foundation, to find out more about the University’s first 24-hour Giving Tuesday event, how people can get involved, and how Rhody the Ram plans to give back on campus.
Q: What is Giving Tuesday?
BS: Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving, held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and after the widely recognized U.S. shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday marks the start of the giving season and encourages individuals to give back by supporting charitable causes that could benefit from private support.
Q: Who can participate, and how can people get involved?
BS: Everyone – students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends! We invite everyone to join us in making a positive impact on URI students by making a gift Dec. 1 – Giving Tuesday.
Q: Have any local businesses shown interest in URI’s GivingTuesday? If so, which ones?
BS: Yes! One of our Foundation trustees, who learned of our Giving Tuesday plans, made a very generous offer. Perry Raso, URI alumnus and owner of the Matunuck Oyster Bar, will donate all proceeds from oyster sales at his restaurant on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1) to the University. And George’s of Galilee in Narragansett, R.I., will follow suit by donating proceeds from specific menu items on Dec. 1 as well. We are beyond grateful to our generous and dedicated alumni.
Q: What is the fundraising goal for URI’s first Giving Tuesday event?
BS: The fundraising goal for URI’s first Giving Tuesday event is $50,000 and 250 new donors.
If you are already a URI donor – thank you! Your additional gift made on Giving Tuesday will show the world that our supporters rally behind URI to show they care. If you are not a current donor we invite you to use this opportunity to become part of a remarkable group of supporters who recognize the impact their gifts can have on the lives of students.
Q: What do the funds raised during the event help support?
BS: Funds raised will help support URI programs and students across campus.
Q: How will the event be promoted on campus that day?
BS: Information about #URIGivingTuesday can be found on the University’s homepage, the URI Foundation homepage, the URI Alumni Association homepage, and on URI’s social media channels. Email blasts will also be sent to alumni and friends during the day, and there will be events across campus staffed by our students.
Q: How will Rhody the Ram give back during URI’s Giving Tuesday event?
BS: Rhody will be visiting several of our on-campus Giving Tuesday events throughout the day!