Giving Day Sets New Record for Maryland Smith

Maryland Smith witnessed a record-setting outpouring of financial support in its eighth annual Giving Day celebration, raising more than $169,000 from 527 donors.

These investments landed the Robert H. Smith School near the top of the leaderboard in terms of dollars raised during the one-day university-wide donation marathon, on Wednesday, March 3, placing it behind only athletics and the UMD School of Public Health.

“I am sincerely humbled by the incredible participation,” said Maryland Smith Dean Prabhudev Konana. “Giving Day 2021 demonstrates the wide base of support for Maryland Smith. There is much for which we can be proud.”

Support went to over 25 programs within Maryland Smith, benefitting scholarships, academic programs and other initiatives.

“From graduate fellowships to entrepreneurship education, undergraduate scholarship to support for diversity and inclusion initiatives, every facet of the Smith experience benefited from the generosity shown by Smith alumni and friends on this special day,” said Chris Dax, Maryland Smith’s assistant dean of development and alumni relations.

Maryland Smith met its goal of achieving 275 donors early – at 11:06 a.m. – unlocking a challenge gift from Dan Schwab, member of the Maryland Smith Advisory Board.

“It was a monumental day for UMD and Smith in particular, the funds raised really rivaled bigger institutions with larger starting points,” Schwab said, adding that he is “very honored to be part of the Smith family.”

Smith’s $169,100 fundraising total in 2021 compares to $36,854 raised in the year-earlier fundraising event, held just before the pandemic started.

This year, Giving Day was a record-setting event for UMD overall as well, as the broader University of Maryland community banded together to raise an unprecedented $2,787,447 from nearly 8,900 donors.

Universitywide, the total represents a 68% increase in total fundraising over the year-earlier event, and the number of donors jumped 20%.

Doron Tamari ’11 (marketing) was among the alumni who contributed to Maryland Smith. He added a note to his donation, which read, "Thankful for all of the amazing Smith memories I have and the wonderful people that I met!"