Michigan State University’s annual day of giving will take place Nov. 27.
Known as Give Green Day, the 24-hour campaign engages Spartans and friends across the world in giving back to support students at Michigan State.
This year’s Give Green Day sponsors are alumnus Dick Bush and his wife, Patty McGuigan, who made a $50,000 challenge gift to kick off the effort and encourage others to participate. The pair is passionate about MSU and what the university has done for them.
“I want to pay back for the great experiences I had at MSU,” says Bush.
The couple’s challenge gift will be distributed as a 2–1 match for gifts up to $1,000. Interim President John Engler has allocated another $100,000 for additional gift matches and bonus money for projects that meet fundraising goals.
There are 32 projects and programs seeking between $2,500 and $50,000. Participating are all of MSU’s 18 colleges, in addition to the Spartan Fund, 4-H Foundation, Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, MSU Museum, MSU Libraries and WKAR, among others.
Additionally, more than 60 alumni clubs will ask members and friends to support club initiatives and scholarship funds.
Gifts to any of these causes will immediately go to work making a difference in the lives of MSU students.
MSU will harness the power of social media and word-of-mouth to spread the word. To date, more than 300 individuals have been recruited to Team Green to help advocate for support through their social networks.
Last year on Give Green Day, 3,300 gifts from donors around the world resulted in a grand total of more than $580,000 raised.
The day coincides with Giving Tuesday, a global day of philanthropy following Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Bush and McGuigan are longtime supporters of Michigan State, whose impact can be seen in several locations on campus. Other gifts of theirs have funded Three Mothers Patio outside the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, and the installation of a copper beech tree and nearby bench on the north side of the International Center.
For more information, visit givingday.msu.edu.