NORMAN – University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren today announced that more than $250,000 has been raised through “Thousands Strong” – the university’s official online project funding platform – since its launch in February 2016.
“Thousands Strong” provides an easily accessible, user-friendly electronic platform for OU faculty, students and staff to raise support for student organizations, faculty/staff research, academic programs and university-led community initiatives through the use of online giving and social media promotion. Each fundraising campaign is operated by a team of students, faculty and staff in coordination with the OU Office of Development.
“The University of Oklahoma is deeply grateful to the students, alumni and friends who have supported important initiatives and programs at OU by making a donation through the ‘Thousands Strong’ platform,” Boren said. “The response of the OU family to this innovative method of philanthropy has been tremendous and truly embodies the words in the OU Chant – ‘thousands strong’ – that inspired the name of the platform.”
After 10 months of operation, more than 2,100 donors have contributed to 27 campaigns via the “Thousands Strong” platform. Of these campaigns, more than half have exceeded their fundraising goal by as much as 579 percent.
The campaigns have helped fund scholarships, assist future teachers with the fees associated with certification, and fund passports for students with financial need who want to study abroad during their time at OU, among many other projects and programs.
“The success of ‘Thousands Strong’ is due to the hard work of our campaign teams and the incredible generosity of OU supporters,” said Laura VanGundy, Director of Digital Initiatives in the OU Office of Development. “More than 1,065 people have made their first gift to the University by supporting one of our ‘Thousands Strong’ campaigns – including 696 students. There are some exciting projects in the queue, and I look forward to seeing our OU family continue to come together to turn our students’ ambitious ideas into reality.”
To learn more about the platform and to view active campaigns, visit thousandsstrong.ou.edu.
