One Day to Make a Difference

It’s remarkable to watch the impact the University of Denver community can have when everyone comes together around a single cause. For the fifth consecutive year, 1DAY4DU aspires to be that cause. 1DAY4DU is an annual initiative that supports and builds awareness for meaningful projects spanning the entire university and helps benefit students, faculty, staff and many living in the Denver area.

“Each year, it is inspiring to see our community and global network galvanize to be a part of our profound collective impact,” says Armin Afsahi, vice chancellor for Advancement. “Every dollar that we raise during 1DAY4DU not only supports the scholarship and education of our students, but also has a meaningful impact on those living in our community.”

For today’s 24-hour crowdfunding effort, the University is featuring 35 meaningful causes for the community to support. The projects are aligned with the University’s strategic plan, DU IMPACT 2025. All the projects fall under nine general categories:

• Arts & Innovation
• Athletics & Recreation
• Children & Families
• Community & Global Impact
• Health & Environment
• Leadership & Professional Development
• Learning for Life
• Student Resources & Support
• Veteran Support

The goal this year is to enlist more than 3,200 donors in supporting the crowdfunding projects. In 2018, about 2,900 donors gave to the University during the single-day effort, helping to raise more than $500,000.

“The wide range of projects this year should help everyone find a cause that is personally meaningful to them,” Afsahi says. “So many of these programs are helping students on campus, while also making an impact in our community and our world.”

One such program is the Colorado Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Study. This project supports mothers, hospitalized infants and families through research on maternal engagement and mental health in the neonatal intensive care unit. A donation to this study helps purchase gift cards that support mothers and their families participating in the study.

Another program making a direct impact on the Denver community is Literacy & Incarceration: Breaking the Cycle. The Morgridge College of Education has partnered with the Brink Literacy Project to help increase literacy rates, reduce recidivism and use storytelling to empower persons who are incarcerated within the U.S. prison system. A gift to this cause will allow more students to work on the project.

Several projects are focused on helping with student access at DU:

• The DU Scholarship Fund provides need-based aid and academic merit awards to 85% of undergraduate students on campus.
• The Young Alumni Endowed Scholarship was established in 2007 by a group of recent graduates who wanted to give back to DU. Currently, a $5,000 scholarship is awarded each academic year.
• The Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to graduate students who have served in the military and are pursuing a degree at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
• 1GenU is a four-year program that focuses on assisting first-generation students and their families. 1GenU offers mentorship and academic resources to assist first-generation students while at DU and beyond.

To learn more about all 35 1DAY4DU programs and to find out how you can make an impact, please click here.