1DAY4DU Continues Momentum of The Denver Difference Campaign Launch

Now in its 10th year, 1DAY4DU had one the most successful fundraising efforts since its inception. Surpassing last year’s annual day of giving, 2024 1DAY4DU totals show that upwards of 2,015 donors generously contributed more than $1.5 million to the University, helping support 19 key projects—all directly linked to The Denver Difference campaign.

Those 2,015-plus donors—including 100% participation by DU’s Board of Trustees—championed a range of projects from DU’s Free Expression and Pluralism Initiative to the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, many of DU’s Schools and Colleges, the 4D Experience, Mental Health Care, Athletics, Student Leadership, and Financial Aid. Each donor was encouraged to select a preferred project, and while every project received significant support, Bringing Exceptional Mental Health Care, Education and Services to Communities in Need led the way in terms of almost tripling its financial target. In number of donors and dollar amount contributed, DU Athletics came out on top as Competing with Integrity and Winning Championships: DU’s World Class Athletics attracted gifts totaling an impressive $534,534.

This year’s May 15th annual day of philanthropy is especially important in so closely following last month’s launch of The Denver Difference: What DU Can Do—a $1 billion campaign that promises to redefine the promise of higher education. Val Otten, Senior Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, remarked that the success of both 1Day4DU and the campaign launch is more than coincidental.

“What I see and hear from our supporters—students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends here in Colorado, throughout the US, and beyond—is a sense that DU is on the cusp of true greatness and that their financial support, regardless of the magnitude of donation, is a powerful affirmation of DU and The Denver Difference,” says Otten. “As much as that support conveys respect and affection for the University, it further cements the bond among those of us who take pride in being part of the DU community,” she added.

What also makes this year’s 1Day4DU notable is that a majority of crowdfunded project gifts were from donations of $100 or less, a compelling figure that demonstrates the broad as well as deep philanthropic support from which DU benefits—and which further confirms this year’s campaign as a special milestone in DU philanthropy.