Record breaking generosity: UVic surpasses $1 million in Giving Tuesday fundraising

This Giving Tuesday, the University of Victoria (UVic) shattered records, marking its most successful campaign to date and surpassing $1 million in total funds raised since the initiative launched in 2016.

This milestone reflects the community’s overwhelming support to invest in programs and supports that make a difference for UVic students and help advance university commitments.

“Giving Tuesday at UVic is about more than dollars—it’s about the collective impact of people coming together to make a difference,” says Jane Potentier, associate vice-president, Alumni and Development. “This record-breaking year shows how much our community believes in supporting the next generation of changemakers.”

On Dec.3, 2024, alumni, staff, faculty, students and community members came together for a day of generosity that raised an incredible $251,691, bringing the cumulative total to over $1 million raised through this event since 2016. This year's efforts brought in contributions from 760 donors, of which 14 per cent were first-time donors, underscoring the growing culture of philanthropy within the UVic community.  

Donors gave over a quarter of a million dollars during this year’s event, which is a testament to the power of generosity and the momentum of this movement. Giving Tuesday creates opportunities for student success and helps build brighter futures. It also brings the community together. Every gift—big or small—has a positive impact.”

—Jane Potentier, Associate Vice-President, Alumni and Development 

More than 1,900 students participated in Giving Tuesday through gamification to unlock fundraising dollars. The play-it-forward style games, where students get to designate dollars already put forward by generous UVic donors, are a favourite of students, and continue to receive global recognition for educating students about how philanthropy is vital at the university and in the wider community. 

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement launched in 2012 to counter the consumerism of Black Friday. UVic has participated since 2016, using this international day of giving to support a diverse array of programs, including student aid, clubs, research initiatives, and community-focused projects.

Impact at the University of Victoria

Each dollar raised during UVic’s Giving Tuesday activities strengthens student success, health and wellness, and furthers the university’s key priorities. This year’s priority funds, which are part of the 26 funds supported, included:

• Student Food Bank: Ensuring students have access to nutritious food and other necessities.
• Pathways to Education: Expanding access to education for underserved communities.
• Student Wellness Centre: Supporting physical and mental health initiatives.
• ITOTELNEW̱TEL ȽTE Learning From One Another: Advancing reconciliation and elder engagement.

More information on UVic’s 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign at uvic.ca/GivingTuesday

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A media kit containing high-resolution photos is available on Dropbox.

Giving Tuesday YouTube video available here.