UW Giving Day Oct. 20

This year, alumni and friends of the University of Wyoming will celebrate Homecoming in a completely new way by supporting the programs they love on UW Giving Day beginning at noon Wednesday, Oct. 20, through noon Thursday, Oct. 21.

For 24 hours, supporters will unite to help the students of today and tomorrow by giving to areas across campus. UW units, programs and colleges are fundraising for the causes that mean the most to students and faculty.

“UW Giving Day is about creating a culture of philanthropy, gratitude and giving back,” says Jack Tennant, director of annual giving for the UW Foundation. “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. That’s also what Homecoming is about -- coming together and celebrating the university that we love.”

UW Giving Day, UW’s annual day of giving spearheaded by the UW Foundation, takes place online and across campus by going to www.uwyo.edu/givingday.

Leading up to UW Giving Day, all UW programs have the opportunity to set up campaigns to raise money where it’s needed most -- and so, for every gift in support of a college, another could go to a small initiative or program run by students not targeted by traditional fundraising. Gifts of any size make a big difference, Tennant says.

This year, more than $500,000 will be available in matching and challenge funds, which allow donors to increase the impact of their giving. Matches are funds that allow donors to double the impact of their gifts. For example, $100 given to a program that is eligible for a match is doubled with an additional $100, meaning that $200 goes to support that program.

This year, a $60,000 matching fund established by the UW Foundation Board of Directors will go live at noon Oct. 20, which is available to any donor for any campaign -- online gifts only -- up to $1,000 per donor. Another $12,000 matching fund will be available at midnight for the Giving Day Midnight Match. There are additional college- and unit-specific funds as well.

Challenges are similar but are generally based on the number of donors or amount raised. Once a threshold is reached, the fund is unlocked. For example, a challenge may be set up for a certain number of donors to a particular program and, if that is achieved, it unlocks that fund, Tennant says. In previous years, these matching and challenge funds have gone quickly, so donors are encouraged to plan ahead.

“This year, we have more matches and challenges than ever before,” Tennant says. “There’s opportunities to double or triple your impact for everything from first-generation student support to the debate team.”

He adds that, as “alums and friends are enjoying the beautiful campus during Homecoming Week,” they can go to www.uwyo.edu/givingday and “support the areas they care about.”

“UW Giving Day is an amazing force for good for the University of Wyoming, its students and alums,” he says.