Pirate Nation Gives returns to generate donations for ECU student success

East Carolina University will celebrate its third annual Pirate Nation Gives on Wednesday, March 20. This standalone day of giving encourages alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and students to make a donation to one of ECU’s 12 colleges and schools or the university program of their choice.
Last year’s event raised more than $500,000 for the university, a successful showcase of the generosity of Pirate Nation. This year’s midnight-to-midnight campaign aims to build on that engagement and support. To help energize Pirate Nation around this year’s day of giving, a couple of faithful Pirates have teed up pledges to be announced throughout the day. Goals of 500 donors and promotion of five focus areas (study abroad, research, scholarships, campus facilities and endowment growth) have also been set.
“Pirate Nation Gives is a time for all of us to come together as Pirates and support ECU. Any gift, large or small, helps our students achieve their dreams,” said Christopher Dyba, vice chancellor for university advancement.
New this year is a partnership with Dowdy Student Stores. For Pirate Nation Gives, 5 percent of total sales at Dowdy Student Stores in the new Main Campus Student Center and Health Sciences bookstore on March 20 will support student scholarship funds.
On campus, there will be activities for students at Sonic Plaza outside of Joyner Library and at the Health Sciences Student Center mall. Students can sign thank-you letters to donors and reinforce the power of philanthropy on student success.
ECU also will have social media geofilters, or location-based graphic overlays, that Pirates can use to show off when and where they gave. And on the Pirate Nation Gives website, individual colleges can track their support and encourage giving with a competitive spirit across the university.
Alumni, parents, students and friends can share their love of ECU by making gifts, posting, tweeting and doing everything possible to make this year’s event bigger than ever. Pirate Nation Gives is about everything ECU –  students, research, arts, athletics and more – and gifts can be made to whatever program donors feel most passionate about.
Event Details:
What: Pirate Nation Gives
When: Midnight to midnight, Wednesday, March 20
Where: Donations can be made at ecu.edu/piratenationgives or by calling 252-ECU-GIVE (252-328-4483).
Why: This one-day effort is about philanthropy and supporting ECU through charitable contributions.
 
Contact: Erin Shaw, University Communications, 252-737-1505