One Ball State Day, Ball
State University’s 24-hour online fundraising event, returns April 5 with some ambitious
goals.
After three consecutive years of increased giving since
the event’s inaugural celebration in 2019, One Ball State Day (OBSD) organizers
this year hope to raise at least $1 million in gifts from Cardinals around the
world to continue to support the financial needs of students, faculty and
staff, and programs.
Ball State graduates, friends, and supporters can participate
in the event by donating online at oneballstate.bsu.edu anytime from
midnight-11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 5. Supporters are also encouraged to
post their Cardinal pride throughout the day on social media and inspire their
friends to give by using the hashtag #OneBallState.
“It is gratifying to see our alumni, faculty and staff,
students, parents, and friends join together to celebrate Ball State and give
to the areas of the university that matter the most to them,” Ball State
President Geoffrey S. Mearns said.
“These gifts support the academic programs, student organizations, and numerous
funds that make possible the transformative impact our University has on the
lives of thousands of women and men. I am grateful to everyone who has previously
participated in One Ball State Day, and to those who will give again on April
5.”
Building off the momentum of last year’s event—which
resulted in more than 10,000 gifts totaling more than $905,000—this year’s One
Ball State Day has many planned events on Ball State’s campus:
» Grab-and-go activity stations on the sidewalk
outside of the David Letterman Communication and Media
Building.
» "I Spy Charlie” treasure hunts.
» "Cardinal Cabs:” hour-long trivia games on a
Ball State-wrapped shuttle bus, hosted by President Mearns and other university
administrators, coaches, cheerleaders, students, and mascot Charlie Cardinal.
» "One Ball State Day Live:” virtual panels
with inside looks at Ball State Athletics, women’s leadership and philanthropy,
the past and future of the campus landscape, and alumni engagement (registration
is required).
» A life-sized Cardinal nest,
located at Shafer Tower, built by the Interior Design Alliance student
organization.
The inaugural One Ball State Day was held in 2019. It
resulted in more than $425,000 contributed for scholarships, academic programs,
and student organizations. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
University shifted its fundraising efforts to focus on Ball State students
facing extraordinary financial needs, specifically highlighting the Jack Beyerl Student Emergency Aid and Take Flight funds.
That year’s day resulted in more than 6,300 gifts totaling approximately
$534,000.
Last year’s One Ball State Day, meanwhile, saw nearly a
60-percent increase in total gifts and almost a 70-percent increase in donated
funds.
Since its inception, One Ball State Day has earned 13
national awards from organizations such as the Council for Advancement and
Support of Education (CASE), a global non-profit association dedicated to
educational advancement, in categories such as “Best Practices in Fundraising,”
“Marketing on a Shoestring,” “Fundraising Pivot,” and “Best Practices in Annual
Giving.”
For more information about One Ball State Day, including
participating groups, event challenges, how to become an ambassador, frequently
asked questions, and more, visit the OBSD website.