Bulldogs contribute 13,026 gifts in 24 hours

The fourth annual Dawg Day of Giving fundraiser brought in over 13,000 gifts to support University of Georgia students and programs, a new single-day record for the university.

The 24-hour effort targeted 11,000 gifts and surpassed this mark around 9 p.m. EDT. It is the fourth consecutive year this fundraiser has set a single-day giving record.

“I continue to be amazed at the outpouring of support we see on Dawg Day of Giving,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “This generosity fuels our progress as an institution, and days like today showcase the transformational impact that our loyal alumni and friends have on so many areas of our campus. To each and every donor: thank you for your belief in the University of Georgia.”

The 13,026 gifts accounted for a total of $5.5 million that donors directed to areas across UGA — each of the university’s 20 schools and colleges, as well as numerous divisions, received donations.

“I volunteer at the UGA Student Pantry, and I have seen how donations truly affect students’ lives, especially those who might not vocalize it,” said Maggie Epps, a senior from Marietta studying human development and family science. “Hope is infused into our campus when donors invest in the lives of students. Their generosity touches so much of what we do every day and is a huge reason why students feel like UGA is their home. I — and my fellow students — truly cannot thank UGA donors enough for their support.”

Bulldogs near and far assisted with Dawg Day of Giving 2025. President Morehead, head football coach Kirby Smart, and Southern Living lifestyle editor Ivy Odom were among the alumni who lent their voices to the fundraising effort.

UGA alumni chapters played a significant role as well, with 28 chapters hosting events from Southern California to London. Thanks in part to their work, donors hailed from all 50 states and five countries.

“When we say that Dawg Day of Giving is a global UGA celebration, we mean it,” said Jill S. Walton, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the Bulldog Nation’s response to our annual giving day. Their passion and dedication drives us to think bigger and do more—and because of their generosity, we can.”

Giving challenges rallied supporters throughout the day, offering additional funds for UGA if donors met certain donation goals. In total, more than $248,500 was donated as a result of fulfilled challenges.

Some challenges measured gifts during a specific period of the day, others measured gifts to specific school or college funds and one challenge unlocked bonus donations to the student organizations that received the most gifts. This year saw more student organizations participating in this challenge than ever before.

Overall, student participation was high once again this year. Dawg Day of Giving organizers had hoped for 1,000 student gifts, and by day’s end, they had given 1,800, unlocking an additional $5,000 to benefit the Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Fund, which provides meal plan scholarships to students in need.

Those unable to donate to Dawg Day of Giving 2025 can still make a difference at UGA. Visit givingday.uga.edu to make a gift, learn more about the day and see leaderboards for a variety of giving categories.