Georgia State Community Boosts Student Support and Opportunity, Sets New Highs for Engagement During Georgia State Day 2023

ATLANTA — Georgia State University’s sixth annual day of giving, Georgia State Day 2023, saw record levels of total engagement with students, alumni and supporters, as more than 2,100 donors and 100 volunteers helped the university raise over $766,000 for programs that create student opportunity inside and outside the classroom. These totals were propelled by record outreach to Georgia State constituents, increases in participation from the previous year across all groups and the largest number of giving challenges in the event’s history.

Held Sept. 26-27, Georgia State Day 2023 fundraising was sparked by 62 giving challenges issued by 124 donors, both new giving day records, totaling $291,000. Among the other notable contributions were the nearly 400 individuals who made their first-ever gift to the university. Alumni from every graduating class since 1963 donated, with the class of 2016 having the most donors participate. This year’s results also include gifts from individuals in 41 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

“Once again, we’re inspired by and grateful for the way the university community came together on Georgia State Day to generously enrich Panthers’ education, provide them with meaningful financial support and create potentially transformative opportunities,” said Telly McGaha, interim president of the Georgia State University Foundation. “We’ve seen our annual giving day grow significantly each year, and the remarkable excitement and engagement across the board – donors, alumni, staff, faculty, students and administrators – during Georgia State Day 2023 shows how many people are invested in the university and Panthers’ unlimited potential.”

Georgia State Day 2023 was highlighted by the event’s first on-campus celebration, designed to engage students, promote philanthropy and illuminate the importance of donor support in creating student opportunity and sustaining vital programs. Hundreds of students on the Atlanta Campus participated in Georgia State Day activities, recording and handwriting messages of appreciation to donors, conducting outreach to university supporters and engaging with staff about donor impact on the university and its students.

“Between all the students and staff together – taking pictures and building community – at the event on the greenway and being able to engage with donors and alumni as a volunteer, this Georgia State Day was a high-energy and incredibly meaningful experience,” said Mitchell Harris, a Class of 2026 political science undergraduate student. “Altogether, the activities and opportunities for students around this year’s giving day created an environment that built passion about our university and fostered closer connections.”

Explore thestateday.gsu.edu for a complete list of giving challenges and other Georgia State Day 2023 information. Learn how donor dollars are making a daily difference for Georgia State and its students at giving.gsu.edu.