Boost the ’Cuse Is a Resounding Success

Expectations for Syracuse University’s first-ever day of giving were high, and the Orange community exceeded all of them. By all accounts, Tuesday’s Boost the ’Cuse effort was a resounding success.

Students write thank-you notes to #BoostCuse donors.

Thousands of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends of Syracuse University made gifts during SU’s 24 hours of giving to ensure future generations of SU students have access to a world-class education.

Launched with an initial goal of 1,870 donors, the day’s results were nearly double, as 3,568 generous donors raised $1,769,780. This included a generous $500,000 challenge made possible by Life Trustee Daniel A. D’Aniello ’68 and his wife, Gayle.

“It’s pretty incredible to see the pride the Orange family takes in giving back to current students,” says Bella Carter, ’18, a finance and political science major in the Whitman School and the Maxwell School, respectively. “I’ve been so lucky to enjoy so many great experiences here at Syracuse that were made possible by our donors. Our alumni and donor network is incredible.”

Collectively, these gifts are helping SU soar to new heights, as donors supported the part of SU they love most. Gifts came from all 50 states—and from countries as far away as Uruguay, Sweden, Oman and Japan. Everything received support, from scholarships to school and college dean’s funds to units like Syracuse University Libraries and Syracuse Athletics.

The day also served as the official launch of Class Act, the Class of 2018 Giving campaign.

“I gave back to the iSchool, where I found a community and I found a home. The immersion trips have been really helpful in guiding me towards what I want to do with my career,” says Chris Yin ’18, an information management technology major. “It’s inspirational that donors want to help students have the same great experiences at SU that they had. This makes me want to help other alumni when I graduate.”

Among the highlights of the Boost the ’Cuse campaign was a generous $200,000 gift to the Maxwell Dean’s Fund from Life Trustee Gerry Cramer ’52 and his wife, Daphna, longtime Syracuse University supporters.

The Syracuse University Alumni Club of Southern California gave $100,000 in the form of an endowed scholarship honoring the life and legacy of Olive Hall ’43, G’48, Ph.D. The scholarship, the largest ever established by an SU alumni club, will help SU-bound students from Southern California pursue their academic dreams.

Advocates—more than 200 donors who spread the word about Boost the ’Cuse while inspiring others to give back—were responsible for more than 10 percent of all gifts made online throughout the day.

Throughout Boost the ’Cuse, challenges highlighting schools, colleges and units; regions; social sharing; and more were issued to motivate donors to give back. These donor contributions channeled additional dollars to the most vital areas, including scholarships, the Annual Fund and dean’s funds.

The challenge winners below were chosen based on the number of gifts given before the challenge window closed.

• First gift made on giving day—College of Law Financial Aid Account won $4,444
• Most international gifts—Honors Program Alumni Fund won $5,000
• Most gifts in the U.S.—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $7,500
• Most gifts ending in 44—Athletic Director Discretionary Fund won $1,044
• Lucky #BoostCuse post—The twitter account @cvelardi won $1,870 for the Newhouse Dean’s Fund
• Most gifts made to The Fund for Syracuse—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $10,000
• Most faculty and staff gifts—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $5,000
• Most parent gifts—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $5,000
• Greatest social media reach—Law Annual Fund won $1,870
• Our Time Has Come Challenge—Black and Hispanic Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship Fund won $5,000
• Most Generation Orange gifts—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $10,000
• Most gifts—Newhouse Dean’s Fund won $10,000
• Last gift—College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Fund won $4,400

These additional challenges ran throughout the day:

• 1,870th gift—Education Dean’s Fund won $1,870
• 2,724th gift (in honor of SU’s 27-24 win over Clemson)—Remembrance Endowed Scholarship won $1,870.
• 3,044th gift—unlocked a $50,000 challenge gift from an anonymous trustee—designated to the Annual Fund.
• Invest Syracuse Challenge—College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fund won $20,000
• General Scholarship Match Challenge—General Scholarship Fund won $115,000
• 100 percent Board participation—The Generation Orange Leadership Council, College of Law Board of Advisors, Falk College Board of Visitors, SU Libraries Advisory Board, Syracuse University Alumni Association Board and Chicago Regional Council won $5,000 each for their units.
• Additionally, there were rewards for the 44th gift, and those winners were: Annual Fund, Athletic Director Discretionary Fund, College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Fund, Dean’s Fund for Education, Falk College Dean’s Fund, General Scholarship, Hendricks Chapel Dean’s Discretionary Fund, iSchool Dean’s Fund, Law Annual Fund, Law Financial Aid Account, Maxwell Dean’s Fund, Newhouse Dean’s Fund, Syracuse University Abroad, University College Dean’s Fund, Black-Hispanic Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship, and the Veteran Legacy Fund
• Once several donor milestones were reached (1,000 and 1,870 donors), $1,000 and $5,000, respectively, were awarded to each unit
• Social media total donor guess—General Scholarship Fund won $5,000

We are overwhelmed by the success of Giving Day. View our thank you video and check out the reaction to Boost the ’Cuse on social media.