OHIO Giving Day is set for April 2: Donate to make a difference

Ohio University’s sixth Giving Day kicks off at midnight on Wednesday, April 2, inviting alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate all Ohio University has been and is, by giving to the funds that matter most to you and to current and future Bobcats. Our goal this year is 3,110 donors. Together, we can ensure OHIO’s next era is the best one yet.

“OHIO Giving Day is an exciting and important way for the community to champion our students,” said Caty Allgood, executive director of Annual Giving, the unit responsible for developing and executing Giving Day. “Each year, we aim to raise critical support for this institution while inviting our alumni and friends to have a little fun while they give.”

How you can get involved in Giving Day 2025

Last year, 3,081 donors participated in Giving Day, raising $1,400,598 for scholarships, programs and initiatives across the University. A whopping 25 percent of all gifts came in via Giving Day advocate links. Advocates help to spread the word and raise support for funds near to their heart, amplifying giving to the funds that matter most to them.

Our top Advocate last year, Lynn Harter, OHIO Professor and co-director of the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact, helped bring in $20,699 from 152 donors. Read more about what inspired her to serve as a Giving Day Advocate and join us as an advocate for Giving Day 2025.

Double your impact and more with real-time Giving Day opportunities

The campaign’s website, givingday.ohio.edu, will feature nearly 150 unique funds, giving donors the chance to support the aspect of the OHIO experience they care about most. Three power hours are planned, one that adds a chance to double your gift and another offering some fun OHIO swag: From noon-1 p.m., the first $200 of all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to while funds last thanks to The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.

At 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., all donors who make a gift to any fund of $60 or more during that hour will receive an OHIO picnic blanket as our thanks. And be on the lookout for a special giving opportunity from President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and her husband Randy!

Additionally, many funds have matching or challenge gifts in place, thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff and friends.

For those of you who have grown to know and love our Giving Day squirrels, you’ll have one more opportunity to name one this year with a gift of $18.04 or more to the fund of your choice. You’ll even get a fun, personal thank you email from one of our eras-themed squirrels.

New this year: On-campus events for Giving Day 2025

We’ve added some fun in-person events to our 2025 Giving Day lineup, which will take place on the third-floor atrium of Baker Center for the campus community.

From 2-5 p.m., a friendship bracelet making station and squirrel games are just a few of the many ways you can stop by and share in the fun! Special incentives will likely pop up around campus to involve OHIO students in directing support to the funds that mean the most to them.

From 5-7 p.m, flex your OHIO trivia muscles in this special after-hours session! Trivia questions will range from institutional knowledge to pop culture while DJ Laura Sowers spins us out of Giving Day 2025.