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Giving Day: A Movement of Generosity
- Simi Kell
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Today (April 8, 2025) is Giving Day at the University of Utah — and if you're like me and participating in UGiving Day, you can feel the energy in the air. There's something powerful about watching people rally around causes they believe in, showing up for their communities, and choosing kindness in action. Giving Days aren’t just moments — they’re movements. And they’re growing stronger every year.
In 2024, GivingTuesday overall alone brought in a record-breaking $3.6 billion in donations — a 16% jump from the previous year. That’s not just a number; that’s impact. That’s the meals served, the kids educated, the forests protected, and the lives changed. Even as the number of individual donors slightly declined, those who gave, gave more — a sign that people are doubling down on the causes they care about most.
And it’s not just the global events making waves. More and more organizations are launching their own Giving Days — universities, local nonprofits, community centers. Take Purdue University, for example: their 2024 Giving Day raised over $76 million in just 24 hours. That kind of momentum doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when purpose meets people.
We’re also seeing a bigger role from businesses. Corporate giving has grown by over 14% in the past five years, outpacing other forms of charitable support. And many companies are stepping up through matching gifts and employee-led initiatives, showing that giving isn’t just a personal value — it’s a workplace culture.
One trend that really caught my eye? Organizations are getting strategic. With election seasons crowding communication channels, many are shifting their Giving Days to quieter times of the year to make sure their message cuts through. It’s smart, intentional, and shows just how far the Giving Day model has come.
At the heart of it all, though, Giving Days are about you. Me. Us. Regular people coming together to do something extraordinary.
A Request.
🎉 It’s Giving Day 2025 at the University of Utah!
While I’m proud to support all areas across University of Utah Health, the #NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) holds a deeply personal place in my heart.
If you know our family’s story, you know that my son is a NICU warrior—and that being a NICU mom means living through the scariest seconds, minutes, hours, days, and months you could ever imagine.
When Ryker was born, we were living in Fairbanks, Alaska—a place that, while beautiful, was sorely lacking in medical resources. He had to be emergency medi-flighted to Anchorage, where the care was better, but still limited. The specialist he needed was the only one in the entire state, and nearly 90% of the nurses were travel nurses. We were isolated, overwhelmed, and facing unimaginable uncertainty.
But we were lucky—very lucky. I realized that to give Ryker the care he needed, we had to leave Alaska. That decision led me to the University of Utah, where I accepted a role overseeing annual giving strategy for U of U Health and building and launching a new grateful patient program—a program that allows us to support our hospitals and clinics through unrestricted funding.
Now, Ryker is thriving. We are thriving. And I am so incredibly grateful—for the journey, for the care, for the unwavering presence of faith that guided us through it all—and especially for the specialists at the University of Utah Hospital who changed the trajectory of our lives.
So today, on Giving Day, I want to give back the best way I know how: by sharing our story and inviting you to be part of this next chapter of hope.
If you’re able, I’d be so #grateful if you joined me in #supporting the NICU this #GivingDay. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a meaningful difference for our tiniest patients and their families.
👉 Give here 🙏
Or find a cause that speaks to you: U of U Health Giving Day 2025
Thank you for considering.
Whether you're donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, I hope today you’ll lean into the spirit of giving. Because when we give together, we grow together. And that’s the kind of world I want to be part of.
💛 Here’s to big hearts, bold generosity, and building something beautiful—one gift at a time.
Additional Reading/Sources
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of the University of Utah or any other organization with which the author may be affiliated. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Any references to specific nonprofits, corporations, institutions, services, or products are included for illustrative purposes and do not imply endorsement. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research.
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