Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Story by Kaelyn Frenzel
GCU student writer
By the beginning of the workday today, Grand Canyon University’s Day of Giving had racked up a whopping number – a little more than $1 million – contributed by almost 2,900 supporters.
That marks a significant milestone for the 24-hour online giving campaign, which has grown significantly since its 2021 debut. That inaugural year, the event raised almost $207,000 by the end of campaign day, and the total has hovered around $600,000 in contributions during those 24-hour online drives in both 2023 and 2024.
The event on Thursday inspired philanthropic support for about 70 GCU colleges, clubs, programs, scholarships and other initiatives, from Club Sports, which topped the leadership board with more than $205,600 in contributions, to Fostering Futures, which supports foster children attending GCU, to the Lopes Pantry Food Bank and the Film Equipment Lab, to name a few.
“We are blessed by the outpouring of support for our Lopes,” said Senior Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Cherylann Galdi, whose team was manning its Day of Giving table on the Promenade when the Spirit team arrived to help generate excitement and buzz for the event.
Drums pounded and cheers echoed at the Promenade, courtesy of the Thundering Herd Pep Band and Cheer and Dance teams, and students stopped by the Day of Giving table to sign up to be an event ambassador so they could drum up support for the campaign.
Any student could sign up, receive a T-shirt, stickers and purple glasses. They also could snap photos at the photo booth, where they were encouraged to share images and the Day of Giving hashtag (#GCUGIVES) on social media.
Behind the scenes, student ambassadors play a key role in making Day of Giving a success. More than 1,500 student ambassadors helped spread the word “about what makes GCU so special and how Christ-centered education and programming is not only impacting their lives but helping them share God’s love with others,” Galdi said.
Anna Garvert, a GCU Sports and Entertainment Business Club member and a student ambassador, said Day of Giving is a big deal for her club.
“The donations help provide networking opportunities, such as the one we attended last year in California, tickets to sporting events, and other resources to help students in their future careers,” Garvert said.
One of the initiatives supported through Day of Giving is the LOPES Academy, a two-year, nondegree program for neurodivergent adults. It relies on funds raised through Day of Giving.
“We get the opportunity through the donations we receive to continue providing scholarships to students who might not have had the opportunity to attend a college environment. Some of these families really need the support of scholarships, because maybe they have never saved for a college experience before,” said LOPES Academy Program Manager Courtney Patton.
She said this past summer brought the highest number of scholarship applications yet, and donations allowed the academy to meet those needs.
In previous years, Day of Giving funds have supported the Dance team’s mission trip to Africa, improved the Havocs Pro Passes for students and provided upgraded gear for smaller clubs to thrive.
“It’s a great opportunity to give the little man a voice – the smaller clubs and the everyday students … and help them fundraise for something they’re passionate about,” said Annual Giving and Alumni Specialist Jacquelyn Trboyevich.
Galdi said it wasn’t one thing that pushed the campaign over the $1 million mark, but rather, the collaboration across campus.
“We are sincerely grateful for everyone who played a part and for everyone who chose to invest in the students of GCU. It was a beautiful thing to be part of.”
She added that GCU’s Day of Giving is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of community, generosity and shared values that unite the university.
“Everything we do here is for His glory,” said Galdi, who became emotional talking about all the good she sees on campaign day. “I get teary. It’s such a special place. Everything the staff does is all for Him. Everything we do is for the Kingdom.”
Those interested in joining GCU’s Day of Giving tradition still can make a donation through December here.
You can reach Kaelyn Frenzel at [email protected]
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