NC West Virginia News

Generations of alumni and friends will unite on March 26 as West Virginia University (WVU) conducts its eighth Day of Giving. This annual 24-hour fundraising event is organized by the WVU Foundation.

Scholarship support will once again be a primary focus, aimed at expanding opportunities for students throughout the university. "This Day of Giving is an opportunity to turn optimism into reality," stated President Gordon Gee. "Your donations will support scholarships for our students, faculty research that will improve lives, campus innovations that elevate the student experience, as well as buoy the partnerships West Virginia University has created to invest in a better future."

During President Gee’s tenure, scholarships and student access have been emphasized, starting with a $50 million “Dream First” scholarship initiative that surpassed its goal. Recently, WVU announced the WVU Guarantee program, which offers funding to cover tuition and fees for qualifying incoming and current West Virginia students starting this fall.

On March 26, alumni and friends can contribute gifts of $5 or more to enhance access and scholarship opportunities further. All areas within the university stand to benefit, including student programs, research initiatives, infrastructure projects, athletics and more.

Since its inception in 2017, over 36,000 gifts have been made on WVU Day of Giving, accumulating more than $96 million. The Foundation and University plan to utilize email and social media channels to inform alumni and supporters about the event. Donors can make contributions online at dayofgiving.wvu.edu.

Alumni interested in fostering excitement for the day can register as a WVU Day of Giving ambassador to support their chosen area within WVU. The top five ambassadors who generate the most gifts via their unique URL will receive a WVU swag box; additionally, the top three will earn an extra $1,000 for their selected unit or program.

“We are grateful to the entire WVU community each year for helping us reach new heights and provide critical funding for our students, researchers, health care and more,” expressed Kristen Shipp, executive director of annual giving at WVU Foundation. “Day of Giving is an exciting opportunity for all WVU alumni and friends to join together and make a lasting difference. We hope you will consider making a gift and become an ambassador to help spread the word.”

Participants can engage in hourly challenges throughout the day offering additional funds based on various metrics such as participation levels or dollar amounts raised. They can also stay informed about challenge winners through live leaderboards and donor walls.