QUT’s inaugural #QUTGivingDay enables anyone to support many vital projects from helping to save the Great Barrier Reef to supporting students in financial hardship.
QUT director of Alumni and Development Simone Garske said from midnight to midnight on Tuesday 22 May QUT is staging an intensive online fundraising campaign with donations able to be made at bit.ly/QUTGivingDay18
One day, endless possibilities. Together we can kick-start real change. #QUTGivingDay 22 May https://t.co/PSKXF9idz5 pic.twitter.com/NMM5oGMeJa
— QUT Alumni & Friends (@QUTAlumni) May 15, 2018
Ms Garske said QUT is inviting alumni, students, and friends of QUT and the general public to make a donation, no matter the size, to an area of the University that they feel is important.
“All funds raised on QUT Giving Day will go directly to the area of campus that the donor has supported,” she said.
CEO of Yum! Brands and QUT alumnus Greg Creed has pledged to donate $500,000 if QUT reaches its goal of 500 donors for the day.
“As a proud supporter of QUT, it is with great pride that I set the #QUTGivingDay 500 donors for $500,000 challenge, to encourage as many people as possible to contribute to making today’s changing world a better place for future generations,” Mr Creed said.
Ms Garske said there were more than 20 research projects and causes people could get behind for #QUTGivingDay, including:
- Save children from serious burns through research and awareness programs
- Save the Great Barrier Reef through robotic, big data and virtual reality developments
- Help create and world-first drug to treat and hopefully prevent ageing diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s
- Support students through the Learning Potential Fund and make a real difference in the lives of students facing financial hardship. Every gift made to the Learning Potential Fund is matched by QUT effectively doubling donation.
Ms Garske said the #QUTGivingDay website was now live had taken many generous donations, inching closer to reaching the 500 donor goal.
“Donors can choose whether to give a donation, offer a matching gift or offer a challenge.”
Professor Margaret Sheil AO is proud of the support offered so far.
“Since I joined QUT as Vice-Chancellor and President earlier this year, I’ve been inspired and impressed by the generosity of our alumni, staff and friend,” Professor Sheil said.
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901, rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au or media@qut.edu.au