TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama secured a record number of gifts and raised more funds than ever during its annual week of giving, Bama Blitz. Supporters contributed 2,131 gifts totaling more than $3.6 million during the crowdfunded, social-media-driven campaign, surpassing previous records of 1,826 gifts and $2.5 million.
Bama Blitz, which began at noon April 12 and ended at 11:59 p.m. April 15, showcased passion projects from UA colleges and schools while tallying gifts made in real-time via online dashboards. The goal of Bama Blitz is to encourage giving at any level while highlighting unique and impactful projects that might otherwise go without funding.
“Since the inaugural Bama Blitz, UA faculty, staff, students and proud alumni have continued to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the Capstone,” said University of Alabama President Dr. Stuart R. Bell. “By generously donating to passion projects, the UA community is contributing to our legacy, inspiring the creativity of our campus and fueling the University’s impact on the world.”
Bryant Bank matched all gifts given to passion projects up to a total of $50,000, providing additional support to areas across campus.
“Our alumni, faculty, staff and friends are simply the best,” said Bobby Prince, associate vice president for development. “The University of Alabama family rallied together once again to support several funds and passion projects highlighted in Bama Blitz that are especially meaningful to them. Thank you to our donors who made Bama Blitz 2021 a tremendous success, and special thanks to Bryant Bank for its very generous matching gift to passion projects.”
UA’s faculty and staff giving campaign, We Are UA, also launched during Bama Blitz and will conclude later this month. Both Bama Blitz and We Are UA are managed by the Office of Annual Giving and highlight the impact of a large number of small gifts. Of the gifts made online during Bama Blitz, 94% were $500 or less.
Some of the projects which surpassed their fundraising goals include:
- Assisting UA Social Work students with the high costs of preparing for licensure, which increases students’ success in the field while also filling a need in the state
- Helping UA students give back to local non-profits through CreateAThon, a pro-bono marketing effort hosted by the student-run Capstone Agency in UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences
- Increasing children’s access to books through the University Medical Center’s Reach Out and Read
- Supporting nursing students with outstanding balances so they can continue in nursing and reach the finish line to commencement
“Bama Blitz is a special tradition for the UA family,” said Mary Beauchamp, director of annual giving. “Through the website and social media, our students are able to share their upcoming opportunities and projects in real-time. The overwhelming response from our supporters shows their dedication in helping UA build tomorrow’s legends.”
The next Bama Blitz will be held in spring 2022.