Third Annual UW Giving Day Raises $364,455

The University of Wyoming’s third annual UW Giving Day was a resounding success, raising $364,455 in gifts and pledges in a single day -- money that supports academic programs across campus.

“There are so many good things happening at UW,” says John Small, UW Foundation senior associate vice president for development. “Giving Day increasingly serves to find support for many areas of campus that might otherwise go without and helps us better connect projects with those who care about them. And it’s a way that everyone can make a real difference, no matter how large or small their support.”

UW Giving Day -- falling on Nov. 28 this year -- is an annual tradition held in conjunction with Giving Tuesday that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving from midnight to midnight.

Two hundred sixteen donors gave gifts ranging from $1 to thousands of dollars in support of areas across campus and out into the state. Donations came from across the U.S. and around the world.

Donors supported the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Health Sciences, and Law. They supported units such as the Alumni Association; American Heritage Center; Athletics; Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources; Native American Education, Research and Cultural Center; School of Energy Resources; UW Art Museum; UW Honors College; UW Libraries; and Wyoming Public Media.

Donors also supported student scholarships and more specific programs such as the WWAMI, ROTC/AFROTC, the UW cheer team, the animal science judging team, the Wyoming Migration Initiative, and the Center for International Human Rights Law and Advocacy.

“Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for UW alumni and friends to support and celebrate a worthy cause,” says Candace Paradis, UW Foundation director of annual giving. “Every donation makes a difference -- that is one of the greatest parts of Giving Day. In 24 hours, people came together to celebrate what they care about at UW. We thank everyone for their participation and investment in the University of Wyoming.”

UW Giving Day is more than just the total money raised, however. It also is about creating a culture of philanthropy, gratitude and giving back -- not only at the university, but also across the state. It’s about bringing together all those who love Wyoming and its university, and uniting them behind the common purposes of education, research and service.

This day is part of the Giving Tuesday tradition, which connects individuals, communities and organizations around the world in one common purpose -- to celebrate and encourage giving. From its first year, individuals and organizations have joined forces to collaborate across sectors, to offer expertise and to work tirelessly for a successful annual Giving Tuesday. The movement continues to gain momentum.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration that kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. It follows traditional shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The Giving Tuesday tradition began in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation in response to the commercialization of the holiday season. They partnered with Mashable, Skype and Cisco. Later, Microsoft, Sony and many more organizations came on board. That first year, at least $10.1 million was raised and, in 2016, at least $168 million was raised -- all in one day.