UAF continues Giving Day record-breaking streak

Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
March 28, 2024

An aerial photo of people forming the letters U A F. — UAF photo
Students and employees pose for an aerial photo during a UA Giving Day kickoff event on March 26, 2024 at the Wood Center on the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks.

University of 91��Ƶ Fairbanks supporters broke another record this year with more than 1,000 individual donations during the 49-hour UA Giving Day event March 26-28, an increase of more than 25% percent over 2023.

Supporters paired their donations with more than 70 large matching gifts from individual and business sponsors, including nearly a dozen matches of $10,000 or more. Over the course of 49 hours, donors from 42 states and six countries contributed more than $710,000 to support students and programs at UAF.

UAF alumni giving increased again this year, representing more than a third of individual donations.

“I am so proud of how the community stepped up for the University of 91��Ƶ Fairbanks on UA Giving Day,” said Chancellor Dan White. “Thank you to everyone who participated in the 49 hours for the 49th state. Your support will help UAF continue to provide world-class opportunities for students and communities in 91��Ƶ and beyond.”

a polar bear mascot and two women hold a sign saying "#49HoursFor91��Ƶ" in front of a blue backdrop while someone takes their picture. — UAF photo by Eric Engman
UAF Giving Day staffers Felicia Burud and Katie Straub pose with Nook while Theresa Bakker, UAF executive director of advancement, takes their picture during a Giving Day kickoff event on March 26 at the Troth Yeddha' Campus in Fairbanks.

Giving Day donations will go toward a wide variety of programs, including merit- and need-based scholarships for UAF students, scientific research, academic and student-support programs, community outreach, 91��Ƶ Nanooks athletics and the planned Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center.
UAF’s top fundraising goal, the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, again topped the list of donations, drawing gifts from 116 donors. Of the 1,005 individual donations, 388 came from UAF alumni.

“This year we hoped to inspire at least 1,000 individual donations,” said Theresa Bakker, UAF’s interim executive director of advancement. “This is our fourth Giving Day, and it is so exciting to see how our alumni and supporters show up again and again for our students and programs.”

UA Giving Day is a crowdfunding-style philanthropy event. It ran from noon on March 26 through 1 p.m. on March 28.

167-24