Contact: Addie Mayfield
STARKVILLE, Miss.--With a goal of obtaining 1,001 separate contributions in only two days, Mississippi State University's second annual online giving event, #HailStateDays, was a success.
During the 48-hour event on April 20-21, a total of $314,257 was raised from 1,010 donors from 45 different states.
"MSU alumni and friends are very passionate and loyal, and #HailStateDays is an exceptional opportunity to show the pride in everything that MSU constitutes," said Asya Cooley, director of annual giving for the MSU Foundation.
#HailStateDays was created to boost support from alumni and friends through contributions to university areas of their choice. It also promotes the university's mission while encouraging investment in it.
"There are so many programs on campus, and #HailStateDays is a great opportunity to get connected to those that appeal to your heart," Cooley said.
The event's powerful social media presence reached a large audience thanks to numerous online volunteers. HailStateDays.com, the live-progress tracking website, garnered more than 5,500 visits during the 48-hour period. In addition, the hashtag, #HailStateDays, was tweeted 1,500 times, reaching over 330,000 twitter accounts.
Efforts from MSU alumni chapters also aided in the success by reaching more out-of-state participants, and the final two hours of the event saw a large push thanks to the determination of the MSU Foundation Ambassadors. The student organization worked diligently to engage fellow students in the philanthropy.
"It was absolutely fascinating to watch the last hundred gifts that were coming from mostly students. I believe it is accurate to say that our students carried #HailStateDays through to a glorious ending," Cooley said.
For more information, contact Cooley at 662-325-5975 or acooley@foundation.msstate.edu.