By Catherine Brown  

On May 3, the Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health family comes together for 24 hours to support a school and health system unlike any other. The second annual VCU Giving Day brings game-changing matches, challenges and opportunities to support VCU students, faculty and staff, patients and the Richmond community.  

“On Giving Day, we celebrate all that makes VCU uncommon — our commitment to inclusion and embracing diversity, our commitment to research and innovation that matters to the public and our focus on creating excellent outcomes for all,” said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU and VCU Health. “During this 24-hour period, we respectfully request that our alumni, faculty, staff, students, family and friends join together to make possible the incredible work VCU does every day. We thank all of you who make VCU the great place that it is.”  

Giving Day donations can be made from midnight to 11:59 p.m. May 3 at giving.day.vcu.edu. With nearly 70 giving opportunities to choose from, participants can give to the cause(s) they care about most, like Pauley Heart Center or Hume-Lee Transplant Center.

Supporters can also maximize the impact of their gift through all-day and hourly matches and challenges.  

Two major all-day challenges support VCU Massey Cancer Center’s commitment to understanding, preventing, detecting and treating cancer. Every gift to Massey unlocks a matching gift to the center, up to $500,000. In addition, every gift on Giving Day — to any VCU or VCU Health giving opportunity — unlocks a gift of the same amount to Massey, up to $500,000.  

The additional $1 million for Massey Cancer Center will help support revolutionary cancer research that could lead to lifesaving discoveries.  

Some challenges are university-wide, including the Presidential Giving Challenge, when President Rao will donate an extra $7,500 to the giving opportunity that receives the most gifts that day.  

Other challenges focus on specific colleges, schools and centers, such as the Department of Psychiatry. When it receives 20 gifts, the Indianapolis Colts Kicking the Stigma Initiative will award the department $50,000.  

“Every day, exciting discoveries are made throughout the VCU research community,” Rao said. “Giving Day contributions help make important discoveries possible.”