ECU day of giving inspires 1,200 donors, raises $6.5 million

East Carolina University’s fifth annual Pirate Nation Gives fundraising day on March 17 set records for number of donors and amount raised.

The one-day, social media-driven campaign raised more than $6.5 million for the university, surpassing its goal of $3.2 million. It also met its goal of 1,200 unique donors in honor of ECU’s 12th chancellor, Dr. Philip Rogers. Last year’s event had 432 donors, making this year’s participation a 179% increase.

“It’s truly inspiring to see so many Pirates come together to be part of this day of giving,” Rogers said. “This success shows how small actions made by many people can have a huge impact. Thank you, Pirates!”

A number of university-wide and college specific challenges encouraged giving with a competitive spirit. Bonus money was earned for challenges including the farthest away gift (New Zealand), most gifts (College of Business) and Pirate pet photo (awarded to a good dog named Banks). And a friendly competition among the Army and Air Force ROTCs led to the most student gifts. One donor was so inspired by all the activity on Pirate Nation Gives that he increased his existing planned gift by $500,000, according to University Advancement.

Priorities for this year’s Pirate Nation Gives included student scholarships, pandemic response and research, and diversity and inclusion.

Alumnus Steven Wright ’78 created a giving challenge in honor of his mother, Ledonia Wright, a former ECU professor and namesake of the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center in the Main Campus Student Center. She dedicated her career to increasing opportunities for minority and underserved students to obtain a quality education at ECU. Steven Wright matched all gifts to the cultural center on Pirate Nation Gives up to $3,000.

Giving is rooted in my personal values and is a principle that my mother, Ledonia Wright, worked to instill in me, my family and the students she taught. Donating through Pirate Nation Gives is an opportunity to show gratitude for all that I have been given. I am privileged to continue my mother’s legacy of pursuing social justice and equity,” he said.

Other gifts made during Pirate Nation Gives include:

• A $30,000 gift to the ECU Annual Fund from Oak Foundation to help the university to respond to immediate and pressing financial needs.
• A $5,000 gift to Beacon Scholarships from Matt ’96 and Kelly Slate.
• A $21,000 gift for College of Nursing from Jim ’63 and Selba ’64 Harris.
• A faculty fellowship in the College of Business. Dr. Diana Haykto, chair of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, gave $25,000 for an unlocking challenge that was met thanks to donor support. The fellowship is in memory of her mother, Elizabeth Haytko.
• A $10,000 gift to EC Scholars and a $10,000 gift to Access Scholarships were unlocked thanks to donors support and the generosity of Ken ’68, ’71 and Kay ’76 Chalk.

For more information about ECU’s day of giving and a full list of champion donors, visit ecu.edu/piratenationgives.

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Contact: Erin Ward, University Communications, warder19@ecu.edu, 972-998-5439