CSU raised $543,402 during Giving Day, Tuesday, Feb. 16, with alumni donating the lion's share of that money, according to the university’s website.

The 2,810 donors were able to pledge via the Giving Day website at any point on the 16th, or they could dial into a call center run by volunteer students in conjunction with the Department of Alumni Affairs.

The more than half-million dollars raised on the day, CSU's ninth, will go to various athletics programs, departments like LGBTQ+ Student Services, and all nine colleges. 

To incentivize donating on Giving Day itself rather than any other day of the year, various CSU departments held challenges and raffled off prizes for those who participated. 

The women’s basketball team had an individual who anonymously matched every donation up to $10,000. Additionally, any donation of more than $50 to the Lift Up Vikes! food pantry was entered into a raffle for four Cavs tickets. Also, every person who donated at least $350 to the tennis program automatically received 7-day court reservation privileges.

The swimming and diving team notably raised the most money, at $71,445. The highest-earning non-athletics department was the Building a Community of Learners Fund, with $33,111. The Building a Community of Learners Fund supports students who are the first to attend university or face barriers that prevent them from attending and graduating college.

A new addition to the festivities was a Giving Day event held for students, faculty and staff in the Student Center Atrium. The event featured T-shirt giveaways, food, music and a photo station. 

“We wanted to do this event as part of Giving Day because as much as it’s about how much we can raise," said event planner alumni relations director Matt Knickman. "It’s also about how many people we can involve. We want the students and faculty to be able to see and get excited about what these donations are doing for our campus.”