One day. All of us. On Tuesday, December 3, the Ford School will participate in the University of Michigan's sixth annual Giving Blueday. Giving Blueday is an opportunity for Fordies around the globe to come together—alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends—to support what each of us loves about the Ford School and the University of Michigan.
From midnight through 11:59 PM (EST), donors will be encouraged to make a gift to the fund(s) of their choice. Each gift, no matter the size, will make a difference.
Matching funds–generously offered by members of the Ford School Committee–will increase the size of gifts from our alumni in particular. In September the Ford School announced an Alumni Giving Challenge. Through Spirit Day on July 9th, 2020, every gift from Ford School alumni (to any fund) counts toward a challenge to unlock even more support for our students. When 250 alumni give, we unlock $25,000 to directly support Ford School students. 500 alumni donors unlocks an additional $25,000—totalling $50,000 in student support.
This year, the Ford School is focusing on student support, strategic initiatives, and alumni giving.
Ford School Fund for Student Support
The Ford School Fund for Student Support suports all of our students and helps us ease the financial costs of a top-notch Ford School education.
Dean's Strategic Fund
A gift to the Dean's Strategic Fund provides financial support for unpaid student internships, faculty research projects, exchange programs, and other strategic initiatives that arise throughout the course of the year.
IEDP Colombia: International Economic Development Program
Gifts to the International Economic Development Program support this innovative three-credit academic program that serves as an experiential learning opportunity for graduate students to think and walk through the multi-faceted experience of an international project from start to finish. This year's IEDP course will focus on Colombia.
In the fall 2019 edition of State & Hill, alumni leaders Naomi Goldberg (MPP '08) and Ian Swedish (MPP/MBA '10) made the case for alumni giving. Read the interview here.
Visit givingblueday.org to learn more about social media challenges, special events, and real-time updates throughout the day on December 3, 2019, or follow along on Twitter, @fordschool.