The return of a one-day philanthropic campaign for Ferris State University groups, athletic teams and other causes was an unqualified success, the event organizers said, as the 2021 One Day for Dawgs was presented to alumni, students and other supporters Wednesday, April 14.
Ferris Foundation Executive Director and Associate Vice President for Advancement Bob Murray said giving is only one element of this endeavor.
“The goal of One Day for Dawgs is not just to provide financial support for the university,” Murray said. “We also want to engage our alumni and friends to help make a difference for our current and future Bulldogs.”
Advancement Communications Specialist Megan Eppley said giving projections were seriously outpaced with more than $216,000 in donations received.
“We entered this third year of One Day for Dawgs seeking $100,000, but our contributors came out early and offered strong support, so a stretch goal was established. We were delighted with our results flourishing throughout the day,” she said.
Gary Granger, a former Board of Trustees member, president of The Granger Group and past chair of The Ferris Foundation, made a $10,000 match to the donations from Ferris alumni.
Eppley said there were more than 1,600 unique contributors to the campaign, where a total of 52 causes, department requests or organization appeals received support.
“A strong number of our contributors made donations to more than one cause,” Eppley said. “Many of the causes met individual donation goals, which we attribute in part to their commitment to their causes and the support the Advancement Office made available to them. Our hope was that the teams could capably tell their story and specify their need to receive the support they requested. We congratulate all our campaign captains and their teams for a most successful effort.”