Giving Day raises more than half a million dollars for Troy University

Oct 7 marked Troy University’s eighth annual Giving Day, the university’s largest fundraising event of the year, which raised over $500,000 toward many areas of the university. 

Giving Day works to unite faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends from across America in giving back to the school they love. This year was the most successful Giving Day to date, raising a total of $523,610 gifted from 458 donors that will go toward scholarships, academics, athletics and various other student and faculty programs. 

“It’s a chance for Trojans in every walk of their Trojan journey to come together and support Troy,” said Sydney Bailey Owen, director of annual giving and special projects with the Office of Development. “It’s important to give back and support the school we love just because it, in turn, has given us so much.” 

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Those who gave were able to do so by visiting givingday.troy.edu. Donors were able to choose the specific area of the university they wanted to give to.  

The Office of Development also held an event on the main quad where they encouraged students to give. 

“We had some Troy goodies and information about Giving Day, and we partnered with the Trojan Pantry,” Owen said. “We were targeting students just to let them know about the importance of Giving Day and how it impacts them.” 

Caleb Smith, SGA president and senior risk management and insurance major from Gadsden, Alabama, shared his thoughts on the event. 

“It was just a great way to encourage students to start giving,” Smith said. “We just encouraged a couple of dollars, and students were able to win a prize if they did donate.” 

Trojan Pantry is a student-focused resource operated by the Office of Civic Engagement that provides free access to nonperishable food, hygiene products and basic school supplies for all enrolled students. Giving Day was important for the pantry as they rely heavily on donations and initiatives. 

“It is another way for us to get that vital support to keep the pantry running because our pantry is not necessarily funded by any institutional budget; it is solely out of donations,” said Lauren Cochran, coordinator of the Office of Civic Engagement. “Days like Giving Day are just so important, and we appreciate the university for highlighting our program.” 

The Trojan Pantry does accept donations throughout the year in the form of needed items, as well as monetary donations. Anyone interested in donating to the pantry or using its services can visit troy.edu/pantry. 

The Office of Development would like to encourage those who can, to give at all times of the year and not just on Giving Day. Anyone interested in donating can visit their website troy.edu/give.