Among festivities planned for the sixth annual Giving Day 2025 at the University of Mississippi, donors can name a squirrel, students can join a scavenger hunt or scrawl their name on an iconic building, and schools can battle each other to be the best at supporting academic and outreach programs.
The April 8-9 online, social media-driven campaign also brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends to match their passions with compelling projects all over campus to enhance the student experience, academic programs and community offerings. Learn about the initiatives and opportunities by visiting the Giving Day website.
“If you like to be engaged in the life of Ole Miss and make a difference, then Giving Day is for you. This is the time to learn about some of the needs on campus,” said Maura Langhart, senior director of Annual Giving in the Office of University Development. “We’re asking our stakeholders to look at our programs and choose one or more to support with gifts. Every gift of any size matters.”
Features of Giving Day include:
- The “Let’s Book It: Ole Miss Opportunity Book Fund” launches to attract resources for OMO scholarship recipients to buy their textbooks. OMO serves students who are full-time, degree-seeking Mississippi residents with a family income of $40,000 or less.
- Almost 90 different challenges and offerings will be proposed by donors hoping to inspire others to give back.
- The “You+2” influencer program incentivizes donors to make a gift and encourage two others to join them, which gets the influencer a “Flim Flam” pennant. Participants who attract $250 in gifts will win a silicone cup. Ared-and-gold Lyceum lapel pin goes to donors who sign up to make their gift recurring monthly.
- May 2025 graduates can make a gift of $25 to join the Flagship Society — the university’s Annual Giving group that celebrates academic giving. Donors will receive graduation cords that represent their commitment to philanthropy. This opportunity can be fulfilled online here, and some academic building lobbies will be set up to receive these gifts.
- New to this year’s Giving Day is a scavenger hunt for Ole Miss students to find stuffed toy squirrels, sponsored by the University of Mississippi Foundation. Winners will receive a goody bag and will be able to direct $250 in support to the Ole Miss area of their choice. Those who want to participate can check social media April 8 for information on the hunt.
- Also, the popular “Name a Grove Squirrel” will be back on April 8 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. For a $50 contribution, a donor can submit a name for a campus squirrel and will receive a digital certificate displaying the name.
- Other experiences will be available including Liberal Arts student donors who make gifts to an area in Liberal Arts being randomly chosen to sign the iconic turret of Ventress Hall, the administration building for the College of Liberal Arts.
“It takes extraordinary resources — scholarships, faculty support, technology and facilities — to provide our students with top-quality preparation for rewarding careers and success,” said Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development. “In addition, Giving Day is an exciting way for everyone to participate in Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss, our most ambitious fundraising effort. We want all members of the Ole Miss family to be a part of it.”
Alumni and friends are encouraged to watch a livestream of Giving Day interviews and other content here from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 8 and from 7 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. April 9. The live stream will feature students, deans, donors and alumni as well as games, UM trivia and a magic show.
Those who enjoy social media are encouraged to sign up as Giving Day influencers here. The university will provide influencers with everything needed to post on the platforms of their choice with the hashtag #OleMissGivingDay.
Supporters can visit this Giving Day page to make a tax-deductible gift to Ole Miss. Those who give in advance of Giving Day will be listed at the top of the online Donor Wall unless they desire anonymity. Ole Miss Giving Day accepts Venmo, PayPal, ApplePay and all major credit cards.
For more information on Giving Day, contact Maura Langhart at mmwakefi@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2760.
By Tina H. Hahn/UM Development