Pirate Nation Gives creates impact across ECU
Alumni and friends answered the call to support East Carolina University during Pirate Nation Gives on March 20.
The eighth annual day of giving event surpassed expectations and raised more than $8.6 million in support of university priorities, including student scholarships, health care initiatives, athletics, and faculty and program support. In the first minute of the day, 64 donors made gifts setting off donations from on campus and across the country as more than 2,800 Pirates gave during the 24-hour fundraiser.
“Thank you, Pirate Nation, for being part of an outstanding day of giving at ECU. We asked for you to make an impact on the university and you rose to the challenge,” Chancellor Philip Rogers said. “Your gifts and enthusiastic support of ECU allow the university to boldly pursue our mission. Because of you, ECU students will have more access to a top-tier education and more opportunities to participate in innovative initiatives and experiential learning programs. ECU will continue to transform and uplift the region we call home.”
ECU donors could specify where and how they wanted their funds to be used, designating support to scholarships, research, innovative programs and more.
Students, faculty and staff participated in Pirate Nation Gives through a variety of on-campus initiatives aimed at building engagement. Students accounted for 16% of the day’s donors. Hundreds visited tables at the campus student centers to share social media posts, snap up philanthropy cords, thank donors and support the cause.
Numerous social media challenges gave participants the opportunity to win bonus money for their favorite ECU area or fund. Serious competition began at midnight as donors vied to make the event’s first website gift. It was down to the millisecond to determine that two students tied in the timing of their gifts supporting the Club Sports Priority Fund in honor of dance. They captured first place and $3,000 for the fund. Alumnus Eric Rivenbark was second and selected the ECU Alumni Association Priority Fund to earn $1,000 in bonus money.
The effort to focus on the Club Sports Priority Fund grew from conversations within Campus Recreation & Wellness.
Senior Assistant Director of Sport Programs Justin Waters said they had an “all for one, one for all” approach and had all 26 club sports come together to help raise scholarship dollars for the priority fund. The fund helps students offset cost that they may accrue while playing a club sport at ECU. These dollars tear down barriers in order to help students keep chasing their passion, Waters said.
The 24-hour event closed with a challenge to make the final gift of the day. The Recreation Sciences Alumni Society Fund captured first place and $3,000 thanks to a watchful eye on the clock from faculty member Edwin Gomez. Club Sports in honor of Women’s Volleyball was the runner-up fund with a gift from parent Emily Davis and will receive $1,000.
For more information about the many ways to give to ECU, visit ECU University Advancement.
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