If you’ve noticed your social media feed turning red every spring, you’re witnessing the University of Utah’s annual Giving Day in action. For six years now, this 1,850-minute fundraising campaign (a nod to the U’s founding year) has been uniting the U community to support countless campus initiatives.
“It’s a fantastic time when the university comes together as one,” says Rachel Robertson, senior director of annual giving. Ever since she launched the initiative in 2019, its impact has grown tremendously—from $300,000 that first year to an impressive $1.8 million in 2023.
Giving Day grew from a desire to engage alumni who are eager to pay it forward, whether by donating or sharing fundraising messages. “Our alumni are incredibly generous,” says U Chief Alumni Relations Officer Kris Bosman BS’99. “When the U community unites with a shared purpose, the impact is truly remarkable.”
With over 200 donation areas, the options for giving are extensive. “You can give to any passion project,” Robertson explains. Donors can support scholarship programs, specific schools and colleges, alumni programs, student support services, arts and culture programs, athletics, research, hospital and clinic areas, and much more.
Robertson says some of the most inspiring success stories come from students. Last year, Honors transfer students raised scholarship funds through Giving Day contests. The Basic Needs Collective, which helps students access essentials like food and housing, started with Giving Day seed money. The U’s Reading Clinic, a resource for struggling readers in Utah schools, has also flourished thanks to Giving Day support.
Making a difference isn’t limited to large donations, Robertson notes, pointing out that last year, gifts under $100 collectively totaled more than $150,000. “At the end of the day, every gift matters,” she says. “No matter the size, it really does have an impact.”
Join the entire U community and support your alma mater this Giving Day, April 8 to 9, at donate.utah.edu/giving-day-2025.
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