Each year on Day of Giving, thousands of passionate NC State alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends log in to social media and post photos of their pets in NC State gear, videos of themselves singing “Red and White Song” around the world and testimonials about how the university transformed their lives. This user-generated content does more than demonstrate school pride — it helps NC State’s colleges, departments, student organizations and more to win extra money. 

Bonus funds from challenges come from unrestricted university enhancement funds and make a difference long after Day of Giving.

This year’s Day of Giving takes place March 25, but some challenges are already underway. For the Make Your Mark Challenge, hundreds of Wolfpack community members have already shared what they love most about the university, including stories about their most inspiring professors, how they met their best friends and their favorite clubs or experiences on campus. Share your NC State story, and each submission will enter you for a chance to win one of 12 exclusive NC State tumblers with charms featuring iconic campus places and a $1,000 bonus for your area of choice.

Make Your Mark Challenge Winners — So Far

There is also the Head Start Challenge, where participants can log in to the Gleam platform and complete simple tasks like following NC State on social media or watching the Day of Giving teaser video for a chance to win $1,000 for their area of choice. 

Throughout Day of Giving’s 24-hour window, there are even more opportunities to spread the Wolfpack love via social media and win money for an area of NC State you’re passionate about. Here are some examples:

• My Wolfpack Challenge (8-10 a.m. on Facebook and Instagram): Post a photo of yourself, your friends or your little ones repping your best NC State spirit.
• Red and White Song Challenge (noon-2 p.m. on Instagram): Record a video of yourself singing or performing “Red and White Song.”
• Pack Pets Challenge (6-8 p.m. on Facebook and Instagram): Post a picture of your four-legged (or other) friend showing their support for NC State.

In addition to hourly challenges, there are several other opportunities to make a difference throughout the day. Here are some easy and free ways to help:

• #GivingPack Passion Match Challenge (Instagram): Record a video or write a message about what part of NC State you are most passionate about.
• Show Us Your Wolfies (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn): Post a selfie or photo of you and your Pack holding up your fingers in the shape of wolf ears. 
• Professional Pack Challenge (LinkedIn): Whether you work at NC State or elsewhere, take a photo of yourself or your team at your workplace.
• Where’s the Wuf? Scavenger Hunt (Instagram): On March 25, five stuffed Wufs will be hidden across NC State’s main campus and Centennial Campus. Each Wuf you find has a donation value of $500 that you can give to your preferred college, program or unit.

Learn more about how to participate in each of these challenges and more on the Day of Giving webpage.

Small Gifts Make a Big Impact

Every gift, large or small, makes a difference on Day of Giving. If you are able to make a monetary gift, participating in any of the hourly giving challenges is one of the easiest ways to help your college or unit. For example, you have a chance to win bonus money for your area of choice by simply making the first or last gift of the day or if you are a first-time donor.

Most gifts made throughout the day are eligible for leaderboard bonuses as well, making every gift go further. There are five main leaderboards, based on dollars raised, gifts raised and more. 

Here are some ways to ensure your donation has maximum impact based on your affiliation with the university:

Alumni

• Most Alumni Gifts (11 a.m.-noon and 5-6 p.m.): The area that receives the most alumni gifts will win an extra $1,000.
• Most Graduate Degree Alumni Gifts (1-2 p.m.): The area that receives the most gifts from graduate alumni will earn an additional $1,000.
• Most Young Alumni Gifts (8-9 p.m.): Your favorite area has a chance to win a bonus of $1,000 by receiving the most gifts from graduates of the last 10 years.

Faculty and Staff

• Most Faculty and Staff Gifts (6-7 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.): The area with the most gifts made by NC State’s faculty and staff earns a bonus of $1,000.

Students

• Most Student Gifts (3-4 p.m.): The area that receives the most gifts from students will earn an additional $1,000.

Parents

• Most Parent Gifts (7-8 p.m.): The area with the most parent gifts gets a bonus of $1,000.

Make your gifts on the Day of Giving website to count toward the totals for each challenge.