By Micah Friez
Published 7:55 am on February 19, 2026
Every year since 2019, Bemidji State University’s Day of Giving has provided students with important opportunities and resources through crowdfunding.
And year after year, Kari Kantack Miller is a champion for the pivotal day because she understands the difference a dollar can make.
“I think Day of Giving is a good example of how you can give,” she said. “Sometimes people think giving has to be large-dollar. But this is a really good teaching tool that all gifts matter, and all gifts are appreciated.”
Kantack Miller is donating again today, Feb. 19, the eighth annual Day of Giving, just like she has in each of the previous seven years. Not many have participated in every iteration of the 24-hour online fundraiser, but Kantack Miller is on the shortlist because she’s a longtime believer that small gifts accomplish great things when multiplied together.
“It’s a fun day when you can feel the excitement and see how your donation, along with other donations, can make a big change,” said the 2008 BSU alumna. “People who receive the money, it’s a super impactful day for them. So if you can help move that needle, go for it.”
Interested donors can make their tax-deductible gift to a variety of areas and explore the full initiative online by clicking the button below or visiting bsualumni.org/dayofgiving.
Before Day of Giving became a record-setting tradition, Kantack Miller was part of the team at the Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation that was responsible for bringing it to life. Kantack Miller held the position of director of development for athletic giving for several more years before moving on to different professional roles in the community. Today, she works in the BSU’s financial aid office as assistant director, where she can see the impact of generosity firsthand.
From inside the operation during those early winters, Kantack Miller helped lay the foundation for what Day of Giving looks like today. She remembers the excitement that budded across campus when the idea first came to fruition, plus the awe she felt when the community responded and donated en masse.
Day of Giving surpassed $1 million in all-time donations by 2024 and set a single-year record of $321,000 raised in 2025. This time around, aspirations remain high because of the Beavers fueling the day’s success.
“People are committed to higher education. They understand the need for scholarships and other donations,” Kantack Miller said. “I was a recipient of scholarships when I was in undergrad, and I’m thankful to be in a position now where I have resources to give back.”
How to make an instant impact
Bemidji State’s Day of Giving is designed for donors of all types and all interests. This year, donors can earmark their money toward any of the 36 available designations, which range from academic and athletic programs to various initiatives and resources on campus. There are no limits, no minimums, and no shortage of combinations of categories.
For Kantack Miller, being able to find areas that are most meaningful to her is what makes Day of Giving so special.
“When you have a connection with a coach or a faculty member or a program on campus, this is a way to be specific in your giving,” she said. “For me, that’s why I’ve enjoyed continuing to give.”
Kantack Miller also revels in the challenges and matches — contests where winners can double their donation by giving within certain parameters, such as a specific time of day or through social media advocacy. Old favorites and all-new challenges and matches are back this year as well, and more information is available on bsualumni.org/dayofgiving.
But perhaps most fun of all is tracking the donation total in real time. Kantack Miller has admitted to refreshing her browser again and again to watch the sum go up before the sun goes down.
Every extra dollar translates to a bigger impact for BSU students — and a Day of Giving veteran like Kantack Miller would know.
“It’s a great time for new donors to come on board. Working in financial aid, I know that there are needs out there,” she said. “Day of Giving is an opportunity for us to see the students of the future. It’s about the students who will be your nurses, or teachers for your kids and grandkids, and being able to give back to those generations. And that’s exciting.”
