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FSU to launch 'The Great Give'; online campaign aims to raise $161,000 in 36 hours

Florida State University will launch its first exclusively virtual campaign starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23. The Great Give is a 36-hour online giving campaign that will involve the entire campus and community in supporting FSU.

The Great Give will run through Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9 p.m., with a fundraising goal of $161,000. These dates and amounts were chosen in honor of the 161st anniversary of the Jan. 24, 1851, signing of the charter to create the academic institution that would become Florida State University.

The Great Give was created to support all colleges, programs and funds that support academic and athletic excellence at FSU. The Florida State University Foundation, Seminole Boosters, the Florida State University Alumni Association and the Ringling Museum of Art are partnering for this unique campaign.

Donors will be able to make online gifts to any specific fund, and all gifts count toward the $161,000 goal. Gifts of any size are welcome and will be accepted online only at www.one.fsu.edu/greatgive. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of Florida State are encouraged to participate.

"We want this campaign to be a fun and exciting way for the FSU community to get involved in philanthropy, and we want to highlight the importance of philanthropic support," said Director of Annual Giving Chad Warren. "Members of the Florida State community will have the opportunity to contribute money to the area of the university that they care most about."

Using social media — Facebook, Twitter and YouTube — as well as an event website ensures that The Great Give has a strong Web presence and allows the university community to spread the word and encourage others to participate.

In addition, a virtual event means there is not a single location, but virtually unlimited places from which to participate. The event website (www.one.fsu.edu/greatgive) will provide live totals as gifts are made. Updates and information will be available on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FSUGreatGive) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/FSUGreatGive). While an online giving campaign is new to Florida State, it is an idea that has gained momentum in philanthropic communities in Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

"Whether it is Facebook, Twitter or another form of social media, many within the FSU community are tied to the university through an online network," said Daniel Krueger, assistant director of annual giving. "Some people seek news from the colleges they graduated from; others focus on getting information about Seminole athletics. But everyone can share an affinity to FSU through an online source."

"I encourage the entire FSU community to join in the Great Give," said President Eric J. Barron. "Over the course of 36 hours, everyone — our students, faculty, staff and alumni — has the opportunity to impact this university by making an online gift. I hope everyone will be a part of attaining our inaugural goal of $161,000. It's 'The Future Supported by You.'"

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By Daniel Krueger
9 January 2012

"We want this campaign to be a fun and exciting way for the FSU community to get involved in philanthropy, and we want to highlight the importance of philanthropic support."

Chad Warren
The Florida State University Foundation