More than 1,000 donors donated $1,366,374 during the fifth annual day of giving, Augusta Gives, the largest one-day fundraiser to benefit Augusta University.

Donations to the community-funded, social media-driven campaign were made by alumni, friends, retirees, employees, students and the greater Augusta community, as well as some of the university’s most dedicated supporters who choose to make major gifts on this day. This year’s target for donors was 800, which was surpassed, coming in at 1,008.

Because Augusta Gives is virtual, donors can make their gifts online to the college, programs, units or areas that resonate most with them and also follow campaign progress on the website.

“Last year was my first experience with Augusta Gives and once again, I am so impressed by the generosity of our community members, alumni, business partners, our student groups and athletes, and our faculty and staff,” said Brandon T. McCray, vice president for development in Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at Augusta University. “It is so rewarding to see what we can accomplish in just one day. Augusta Gives benefits scholarships, athletics, academics, research, health care, innovation and other vital programs at Augusta University, and we are profoundly grateful for all the support.”

This year’s campaign generated significant support in all of AU’s colleges, as well as athletics, research, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, the Georgia Cancer Center, the Open Paws Food Pantry and the Augusta Promise program. Some notable gifts include:

• Martha Farmer and Family, Hull College of Business, AU Women’s and Men’s golf teams

• Hal and Nancy Cohen (’96 ADN, ’97 BSN), Margaret Lewis Starnes Nursing Scholarship

• Curtis Mills, Medical College of Georgia Department of Surgery

• Betty Pace, MD, Betty S. Pace, M.D. Scholarship

• Klaus Ley, MD, and Lynn Hedrick, PhD, Margaret-Gertraud Immunology Lectureship

Other highlights during the day included student events such as lawn parties and coin wars and power hours to earn bonus funding for specific academic, athletic and health care areas.

The goal of Augusta Gives is to engage the community, alumni, friends, donors, retirees, employees and students to give at any level to impact projects within Augusta University’s colleges, units, and athletics programs.