This year’s Give to the Max Day, a yearly virtual fundraising event at the University of Minnesota, raised money for various campus programs on Thursday.
The event is a statewide effort by givemn.org, which the University participates in, intended to raise awareness of philanthropy efforts. For the University, the event aims to gather funds for 150 different programs around campus.
The day is organized by the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), a nonprofit organization that runs philanthropy programs at the University.
Robyn White, UMF senior director of digital engagement, said goals for Give to the Max Day differ between programs.
White said last year saw a record number of donors, with 7,600 people donating. She also said due to the fluctuating amount of dollars raised every year, the day’s main focus is on participation.
On Give to the Max Day in 2023, supporters raised $6.1 million for the University, according to White. These donations contribute to all sorts of campus programming, ranging from the Nutritious U Food Pantry to research at the Masonic Cancer Center.
The University’s Human Rights Program (HRP) is just one program that benefits from Give to the Max Day.
The HRP is a part of the Institute for Global Studies in the College of Liberal Arts.
As of Tuesday, the HRP raised $1,710 out of its $2,500 goal, according to the HRP’s Give to the Max webpage.
HRP Director Dr. Carrie Booth Walling said the HRP aims to educate students on human rights and prepare students for working in the field of human rights.
“We want to promote and uplift human rights scholarship, preparing the next generation of human rights scholars and professionals,” said Walling. “Our students are going to go out into careers in public service and social justice and human rights fields.”
Walling said donations are especially important for the HRP. Any contributions to student internships or professional development programs are through private donations.
“Any kind of scholarships we offer, any kind of financial sport that we can give to students and invest in them comes from contributions of our generous community,” Walling said. “For me, that’s a pretty powerful investment in our collective future.”
Without donations through events like Give to the Max Day, there would be issues of equity, said Walling. Since not all students have the opportunity to take an unpaid internship, paid internships using funds from donations contribute to better students and the organizations they work for.
University student Manushri Ivaturi also reflected on her experience with the HRP. Ivaturi participated in the Fraser Fellowships this past summer, an undergraduate fellowship opportunity through the HRP.
During her fellowship, Ivaturi said she was able to get hands-on experience and jumpstart her career working with human rights groups.
“Because of all the donations that the Human Rights Program gets, they’re able to host various events that promote human rights that raise awareness to the issues across the world,” Ivaturi said. “It’s also a great way for students to get some experience and get started with their career, which is what it did for me.”