West Virginia University alumni and friends are being encouraged to make a gift to the University Wednesday, Nov. 14, as part of the second annual WVU Day of Giving.

The WVU Foundation is organizing the 24-hour online fundraising effort as an easy way for University supporters to contribute to the University. Last year, during the inaugural WVU Day of Giving, nearly $3 million was raised.

“We’re hoping to build on the success of our first year,” said Mary Esposito, who is organizing the effort for the Foundation. “Day of Giving is a great way for alums and supporters all over the world to raise dollars for the University’s greatest priorities and opportunities. Those include scholarships and unrestricted funds at both the University and unit specific level.”

Foundation officials have noted that as higher education costs increase and available funding decreases, private support is critical to help move the University and state forward.

“I love this way of building support for our University,” President Gordon Gee said. “The excitement and friendly competition it generates among different groups across the West Virginia University system is wonderful to see. At the same time, it serves a very serious purpose in helping this University remain affordable, despite the financial challenges it faces.”

The Foundation and University plan to use e-mail and social media to get the word out to alumni and supporters about the special WVU Day of Giving. A web site with a donation page has been created making it simple for people to make a gift online.

Esposito noted WVU Day of Giving is a University-wide event including the main campus in Morgantown, WVU Health Sciences, and the divisional campuses, including Potomac State Collegein Keyser and WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley.

“While raising money for WVU is the obvious goal, we’re stressing participation as well,” Esposito said. “We see this one-day event as an excellent way to engage our alumni and supporters with several ways for them to get involved November 14th including matching gift and challenge gift opportunities.”

During last year’s WVU Day of Giving, more than 2,500 gifts were made, including contributions from 534 first-time donors.