During Homecoming Week 2009, 1,474 Rattlers contributed $7,620 to the Mobile Giving Campaign.
The campaign invited alumni to contribute $5.00 by sending a text to the number 50555 with the word FAMU in the body of the message. Each $5.00 gift was automatically added to the owner’s cell phone bill as a contribution to the FAMU Foundation.
The Mobile Giving Campaign is now a permanent part of FAMU’s fundraising program. Rattlers can keep texting the word FAMU to 50555 as often as they like in support of the university.
For a receipt, a donor can visit www.mobilegiving.org/sms_donations, and then enter his/her cell number.
Mobile Giving Campaign raises $7,620 during homecoming
October 29, 2009
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I gave...
ReplyDeleteMe too. I didn't even make it outta Lauderdale for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, count me in. I've donated the limit. Come on Rattlers, lets do this in a big way.
ReplyDeleteI gave too, but this is a very sad number. I mean, where is the outrage from RN on this one. We talk about how the Hundred lines are not prefect, how the athletic department (Bill Hayes) is making poor decision pertaining to the success of the program etc. However, there were over 20 plus thousand folk in the stadium (with only about 3 to 4 thousand students) and only one thousand gave to this program. In the words of V.P. Joe Biden, Give Me A Break!!! Its only five dollars people, five dollars. This is said because we are quick to criticize, but this proves that we are very slow to give, even when its made extremely easy and cheap!
ReplyDelete6:06 hit it on the head. Wish we could have made it over $100K
ReplyDeleteFor a minute I was beginning to think that I was the only one who thought that was a sad number. But what I'm wondering is this: Does that include the number of people who gave in the days leading up to homecoming? I gave the same night that I got the voicemail and email from FAMU which was about four days before the actual game. I'm sure many others did as well. Does that include those people or is this number the money raised strictly during the game?
ReplyDeleteThat was the total for the week. SAD SAD SAD!!!! Let's Go Rattlers we can do a lot better
ReplyDeleteto 11:27, I am thinking that is the total number period. Because when I was at the game, there were only about three to four people (including myself) that even pulled out their cell phones during the half time pitch from the president. The real sad part was people saying, "Man I am not about to do that, I just purchased these game tickets." I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but we as alum really need to self evaluate before we start or continue to criticize what is going on at the University especially on a campaign that targets virtually everyone with a cellphone to give only $5 can only raise a little over 75 hundred dollars. In the words of Rick Flair, to be the best you have to beat the best, and right now, we act like we can afford to buy a hamburger for the athletic department, no less help to fund the building of a new stadium.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all posters who have lamented how sad the amount is. However, today's TDO headlines about the apparent misuse of SGA funds for the concert and other activities only doesn't help when trying to encourage people to give to the University. I know these two issues have nothing to do with each other, but too many alums who choose not to give often state that they have reservations about how their money will be used.
ReplyDelete@9:02 Wow... that's really sad. I donated before and during the game and to only help raise $7620 is really a shame. Come on now people... you can't part with $5?
ReplyDelete$7,600 is freakin' pitiful. You "Rattlers" talk a lot of orange and green, but when it comes to putin' your money where your mouth is, all y'all sellin' is wolf tickets.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, everyone in my family gave.
9:56 a.m. You are right in your assessment of reasons why the university can seem to turn the corner when it comes to truly inspire people to give. When the administrators have all received "discretionary pay raises", the president a hugh "bonus" and faculty NOTHING and the administrator will not (as they are required by law and contract with the UFF) to submit pay document ..... well I'm guessing you get the picture.
ReplyDeleteI gave before homecoming week. It is already showing on my phone bill. I also sent it out to everyone in my contacts list and then put it on Facebook. I feel like I have done my part. Just wish other Rattlers would do the same.
ReplyDeleteI bet if you walk around to the varous offices on campus and ask who donated, you won't find hardly any. It is sad! But folks feel that they are not being treated fairly, compensated fairly or equally. There are some wayyyy over paid folks at FAMU and it just disgusts others to the point that they feel they need to hold onto every penny they have and let the others give.
11:46 a.m.,
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely correct. In many ways, FAMU is a house divided among faculty and staff. There are many administrators, faculty and staff who deservedly earn high salaries. Unfortunately, there are even more who work just as hard and who are equally as deserving but don't earn nearly as much. Of course, there's always that perception that some people received their high salaries because of whom they knew, what church/organization they are affiliated with, or their affiliation with a sorority or fraternity. There are employees on campus who bleed orange and green and are dedicated to the mission of the University but who will not donate a dime because of what they perceive as unfair treatment to themselves and others over the years. Dr. Ammons still has a lot to do to change the culture on campus. Again, I know employee disenchantment with the university is another issue and shouldn't matter when giving, but some of their unhappiness with the university is echoed by many alum and friends of the university. I don't know how we can encourage them to again believe in the hope and potential of the university, but more has to be done to encourage and inspire people to give even in spite of ...
to 9:56 and 11:46, while you bring up valid points about the disenchantment amongst the employees at FAMU,how do we count the vast number of Alumni that didn't give. Keep in mind that at the most FAMU only employs 900 folk. There were only roughly 1500 folk that gave last week. Are we to believe that the other 25-50 thousand people that were at or around the stadium have enough negative feelings about the way employees are being treated that they didn't want to give $5 (even when they had already given $35 for a ticket?)
ReplyDeleteThey sad part about all of this is if FSU had a giving campaign like that this weekend, and although they have a house divided, in terms of what direction they want to go with their football program, and alot of their faculty, staff and students are upset about the budget cut backs and how they have affected their programs (check the TDO from this summer), I can promise you that they would raise well over $50,000 just today alone. See my point is this, we say we love FAMU and will defend FAMU at all cost, but at the first opportunity to support FAMU, in such a small way, we still will find the best reasons for why we shouldn't support the program. And this is a prime example of it.
oh and by the way I would love for RN to do an in-depth story on Alumni giving to FAMU. I would love to see how we rank with other HBCUs of our Alumni size across the nation.
ReplyDeleteFirst - I give a whole lot more than $5 to the University. Secondly, for those who do give MONEY, and not just words...thank you.
ReplyDeleteI"m just curious about 50555...and before you start, I'm just trying to get some facts to understand how 50555 really works...
Is 50555 run directly through the school, or is it through a company (whether it's for the number or funds management)?
If there is an outside source involved with this effort, are they paid a flat fee by the University and/or Univeristy Foundation? If not, do they receive a cut from the $5 (for every $5, they receive $X). If it's a flat fee, how much was paid to become a part of this fund-raising effort?
Is there a threshold amount that has to be raised in order to stay a part of 50555?
Any information on the success of this program with other schools of similar size to FAMU?
Is Rattler Chek still around?
I agree that $7,600 is a sad amount, but what would be sadder is if the actual amount received by FAMU would be even less.
PS...Some of my friends tried to use the 50555 during the game, but the text was kicked back. I wonder if anyone else had this problem.
ReplyDelete50555 is operated by the Mobile Giving Foundation here: http://www.mobilegiving.org/
ReplyDelete12:44,
The cell phone network in Tallahassee became over crowded on Saturday from time to time with all the people in town. Your friends whose text didn't go through should re text.
GUYS LET'S NOT GIVE UP HOPE!!!
ReplyDeleteThe campaign is NOT over! While the numbers for homecoming weren't great at all, we CAN get them up!
Send your text NOW Rattlers!!!
Let's do it! Let's give back to the university that gave SO much to us!
They're trying, they're REALLY are trying to turn things around, but they can't do it alone.
Constructive criticism is GREAT, but let's be careful not to criticize, UNLESS we are knowledgeable of the ENTIRE situation first! IF you do, then you're criticism is based on ignorance Rattlers!
Ask questions and get your answers might Rattlers! Together we WILL shine again!!!!!
Keep on striking....and text "FAMU" to 50555 to donate $5 to FAMU athletics ;-)
2:15 - Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteWould you happen to know about any of the other questions asked? Do you know who may have this information and would be willing to share??
And I also passed on the re-text request.