Thousands of Spiders across the globe showed they are here for Spider students during the University of Richmond’s fourth annual UR Here Giving Day. Donors provided $1.6 million in just 36 hours.

“The funds raised on giving day will allow our students to have an exceptional college experience that they can only find on this campus, and they will go on to achieve great things as a result,” said President Kevin Hallock in a video sent to all donors.

Donations tied the 2020 record for the most funds contributed during the virtual event.

Funds raised this year will benefit every area of campus. More than 160 individual funds were represented on the Giving Day website, supporting scholarships, the student experience, well-being, academic excellence, athletics, and other high-impact areas.

The University of Richmond Annual Fund received the highest funding with nearly $213,000. Gifts to the annual fund are flexible, allowing University leadership to use them wherever needed most. Richmond Law raised nearly $200,000, and Richmond Athletics set a record, raising more than $680,000 from nearly 1,500 donors. 

UR Here also offered several time-based matches and challenges. The winner of the “Itsy Bitsy Spider Challenge,” in which participants posted a photo of their child or pet wearing UR gear to social media, directed their $250 bonus to Jepson and Robins. The winner of the throwback photo challenge — which captured Spiders during their time at Richmond — directed their bonus to the music department.

“Spiders all over the world continually give back to Richmond in lots of different ways to support our amazing students and faculty,” said Martha Callaghan, vice president for advancement. “It was really fantastic to see thousands of Spiders join in during Giving Day to make a difference and be part of such a celebratory event.”

Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and parents participated, including Spiders from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The Spider Board and Office of Annual Giving also hosted a campus event called Thankful UR Here, where nearly 500 students, faculty, and staff gathered to write notes of gratitude for those in the campus community. 

“None of this would be possible without our caring and dedicated Spider community,” Hallock said. “You have my deepest gratitude for being here with us today and always.”