Giving Cougsday, an annual service initiative that lets Cougars nationwide donate to BYU’s universal scholarship fund, will take place on Oct. 21 and 22.
This is a day for students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to make donations of any size to support BYU programs and initiatives.
Giving Cougsday organizer Michael Sackley shared the importance of donating, especially with it being the 150th anniversary of BYU.
“It’s the 150th year of the university, and people may not realize how big of a role donations have played in the history of the university over the years," Sackley said.
Donations made towards Giving Cougsday make their way to BYU’s general scholarship funding and are dispersed where needed. This ensures that the donations support the programs, colleges and individuals who need it most.
Students, alumni and parents shared testimonials on the Cougsday website on how the fundraiser has impacted their lives.
"BYU has had a significant impact in my life and in the lives of my children and grandchildren," Aldine G. Allen said. "The graduates go out into the world and make a positive contribution to their families, communities, workplaces and the world."
The annual day of giving, organized by BYU Philanthropies, highlights the impact of collective generosity within the Cougar community. Last year, supporters raised $852,245 in just 24 hours. This year, organizers hope to surpass that total through renewed outreach and community participation.
“Every gift, no matter the size, helps students and strengthens the BYU experience. Giving Cougsday is really about uniting people who love BYU and want to make a difference," Sackley said.
Leading up to Cougsday, social media campaigns and on-campus activities will encourage students and alumni to participate by donating, sharing stories of gratitude or volunteering. The event emphasizes that contributions of time, spirit and resources all help “share your light” across campus and beyond.
Kyle Parkinson, a Cougsday ambassador, took to social media to share a heartwarming story from a time he benefited from a scholarship fund. He reflected that the Cougsday fundraiser allowed him to receive the Global Opportunity Scholarship, which led to his BYU accounting study abroad.
“That is the true impact of the Global Opportunity Scholarship, which made my trip possible,” Parkinson said.
Cougars across the country can also sign up to be ambassadors for Giving Cougsday. Through this program, individuals advertise for the fundraiser and share their personalized links to compete for special BYU swag and to enter a drawing for an Amazon gift card.
More information, including ways to get involved, can be found on BYU’s official Giving Cougsday page. Donate now to be a part of the generosity.