Giving Challenge raises more than $50k for students, programs and campus needs
As the Oakland University and University of Detroit Mercy men’s and women’s basketball teams competed on the court last weekend, another friendly competition was taking place off the court.
The first-ever Giving Challenge between the crosstown rivals enlisted alumni and fans of each institution to make financial gifts to their university. The schools wagered their mascot’s pride, the loser having to wear the other team’s jersey at the women’s game on Saturday, Feb. 27.
Despite OU’s loss —with 436 donors compared to UDM’s 513 — the Giving Challenge was a win for everybody, raising more than $50,000 for OU students, programs and campus needs.
“The Giving Challenge was a great way to get alumni and fans involved while tapping into the spirit of generosity,” said Kelly Brault, OU’s interim executive director of Planned and Annual Giving. “While we hoped that OU would beat UDM both on and off the court, this battle was a win for students and we are grateful to all donors who showed their OU spirit through giving.”
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OU alumni and fans selected which areas they’d like to support on campus, making gifts that benefit the student-athletes themselves through the Golden Grizzly Athletic Fund, or a variety of other funds, ranging from academic to experiential.
The Giving Challenge ran from Feb. 19-Feb 27. Visit oakland.edu/giving to make a gift today, or contact OU’s Giving office at (248) 370-4504 or giving@oakland.edu.