2O36 harnessed the power of community and collective giving — transforming generosity into lasting impact.

Big challenges demand bold action — and no one solves them alone. Through 2O36, Emory imagined a brighter future, one that could only be realized through the collective power of our community. And that’s exactly what happened. More than 120,000 students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff members, grateful patients, corporations, foundations and friends came together to turn a vision into reality. 

Among the most effective ways to activate that support were volunteer-powered initiatives like Emory Day of Giving and 2O36 Giving Week. Fundraising competitions among student groups and gift matches made giving personal and fun — rallying people around causes they care about and showing that when everyone gives what they can, it adds up to something extraordinary. 

“It’s been incredible to see groups competing for the top spots on leaderboards and watching matching gifts double the size of donations,” says Meghan Page 08C, director of alumni and constituent giving. “I love the friendly competition among groups on campus as schools and student organizations rally their networks. It’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together.” 

Since the launch of the campaign, Emory Day of Giving and 2O36 Giving Week have raised $9 million from thousands of donors. For some, the impact has been transformational. 

At Emory School of Medicine, students raised $6,560 to support Jornada de Salud, a student-run health screening clinic that serves the Spanish-speaking community in Gwinnett County. The clinic offers free testing for blood pressure, body mass index, glucose and lipids. “We see an average of 15–30 patients per clinic and usually make at least one critical diagnosis, such as urgent hypertension or uncontrolled diabetes, in a population that has limited access to care,” says Carson Chruscicki 28M, a med student and first-time fundraising volunteer. 

She estimates the funds will support care for up to 500 patients over the next two years. “Now we can focus on applying for grants and finding community partners to begin offering mammography, HIV testing, dental care and vision screenings,” she says. 

That same spirit of community and connection drives Susan Atkinson Gregory 77Ox 79C, who marked her third year as an Emory Day of Giving volunteer. She raises funds for the Luke Gregory Memorial Compassion Endowment, which honors her late husband and supports Oxford College students, faculty and staff facing hardship. “I’ve watched our fund grow exponentially,” she says. “It feels great to give back to the beloved college where my husband and I met and that provided us with a great education, many lifelong friends and special memories.”

Learn more about Emory Day of Giving and the many ways to take part in crowdfunding.