On March 9, the global McGill University community came together once again to make a difference on McGill24, raising a record $3,949,997 in 24 hours during the seventh edition of the University’s annual day of giving. This year’s McGill24 took place as the University wraps up its bicentennial celebrations and kicks off its third century, with a theme that inspired the community to reflect on 200 reasons to give. Funds raised from 5,901 donations will support McGill’s students, student-athletes, researchers and future leaders making a difference at the University, in their communities, and around the world.
As the world watches with concern the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Europe and continues to manage the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s 24-hour digital campaign asked McGill’s alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students to donate in support of student programs, faculties and departments across the University, including projects that will empower students to address many of our most difficult global challenges.
“The McGill community really stepped up and came together to support our community project,” says Andrew Dixon, BSc’15, MSc’17, a medical student graduating this year and executive director of the Community Health and Social Medicine (CHASM) Incubator, one of the crowdfunding initiatives promoted during McGill24. “We are so grateful for the generosity shown by donors and the matching gifts they enabled. With it, CHASM is able to expand its work bridging the gap between students and community organizations to tackle health inequities. It provides us with the resources to support community-led and student-powered social innovation in Montreal.”
The online #McGill24 and #200reasonstogive conversations, along with virtual and in-person events held around the world, demonstrated the enthusiasm of our global community and the ripple effect that their giving can have.
“McGill24 has become an incredible way for members of the McGill community to inspire one another to give back to the University,” says Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal of McGill University Advancement. “Our McGill students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends all have their reasons for giving generously. Everywhere you look on our campuses, you can see our remarkable students, faculty and researchers contributing to discovery and learning, and this kind of support allows them to reach even higher in their ambitions.”
This year’s campaign featured giving incentives such as donor-contributed challenge funds and matching gifts that were released when specific donation targets were met. There were also a record number of student-led projects promoted on McGill Crowdfunding, the University’s updated crowdfunding platform. Overall, teams representing 61 projects raised much-needed funds during McGill24 to support student research and outreach programs, Engineering design teams, Athletics programs, and many more initiatives.
“Donor support has opened so many doors for me,” says Rele Orimalade, a Science student set to graduate in 2022. “As a Redbird basketball player, I saw donor support fund athletics scholarships, sports’ gear, trips, team meals and more. Off the court, it made it possible for me to earn a research position in a biology lab where I gained invaluable hands-on experience.”
All funds raised during McGill24 count towards Made by McGill: the Campaign for Our Third Century, the multi-year, $2-billion fundraising drive that McGill launched in fall 2019 to support its bold ambitions as it celebrates its 200th anniversary and looks to its next century.
Visit the McGill24 website for more information and statistics about this year’s campaign achievements.