March 10th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Frostburg State University’s second annual Bobcat Giving Day, an online 24-hour fundraising campaign, broke last year’s totals by raising more dollars and donors. 

Organizers of this year’s campaign, held on March 1 and 2, set a goal of engaging 1,250 donors to celebrate FSU’s 125th anniversary in 2023. They surpassed that by 169 percent with a final total of 2,122 donors. Overall funds raised during the 24-hour period amounted to $167,969, nearly $23,000 more than last year. 

“The challenges of running a campaign for only 24 hours is that anything can happen in that one day,” said Stephanie Loar, FSU Annual Giving specialist and the lead organizer of Bobcat Giving Day. 

The FSU Foundation Board of Directors once again donated a $10,000 prize to the fund raising the most donors (not dollars) during Giving Day and added a $5,000 second-place prize this year. FSU’s Swimming won first place with 335 donors, while Men’s Lacrosse received second prize with 325. 

According to Loar, the competition builds excitement on and off campus. 

“Everyone’s adrenaline was rushing. We had so much excitement, not only our office, but all over campus. And the social media presence was incredible. We had no idea who was going to win. It was a tight race down to the final minutes,” she said. 

Next year’s Bobcat Giving Day has been set for March 6, 2024. Loar admitted the biggest winners of such a campaign are the FSU students. 

“The gifts make such a difference for our students,” she said. “Watching students, faculty, staff, alums and the community come together in support of FSU is truly amazing.” 

For information on Bobcat Giving Day, visit frostburg.edu/givingday. 

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