BLUEFIELD, VA – Each spring, Bluefield University invites alumni and friends to show their support and love on BU Giving Day. This year, in light of the circumstances many businesses are facing due to COVID-19, the university has partnered with a local alum for the second year to offer an incentive that will help local businesses along with Bluefield University students during the 2021 BU Giving Day on April 29.
The giving incentive, BU Loves Local, generates a $25 gift card or certificate to a local business each time someone gives $50 or more to the university on its giving day. Gifts to the university on BU Giving Day will go toward supporting student scholarships, academic programs, athletics, and other areas of need. A generous alum has agreed to partner with the university toward the purchase of gift cards for the first 120 donors who give $50 and choose the BU Loves Local incentive. The donor will be contacted and asked to choose which local business they want the university to support. The gift cards will be purchased in May and distributed to Bluefield University students when they return to campus in the fall.
“We recognize that COVID-19 has disrupted operations at many businesses in our local community in the past year,” said David Olive, president at Bluefield University. “We have a unique opportunity to do something good for the community we love while moving forward with our day of giving meant to raise funds for student scholarships and other areas of need at the university.”
The university’s giving day has grown in popularity over the past several years. Last year, the university raised over $160,000 toward scholarships, athletics, and academic programs in a record-breaking day. In its eighth BU Giving Day, the university aims to gain support from more than 200 donors. Through direct mail, e-mail, and social media, the university will reach out to thousands of alumni and friends inviting them to be part of their big day.
Alumni and friends interested in supporting BU Giving Day and the BU Loves Local incentive can do so at www.bluefield.edu/bugivingday. When entering a gift of $50 or more, choose the BU Loves Local incentive. When all gifts are in on April 29, the university will reach out to those who chose the BU Loves Local incentive to ask which local business they would like the university to purchase a $25 gift card from. The campaign is active and gifts can be made anytime between now and midnight on April 29.