Fourth Annual ‘Giving to ’Hoos Day’ Targets $5M Goal

Tuesday, April 9 is the big day. For 24 hours, the University of Virginia will host a University-wide day of online giving, called “Giving to ’Hoos Day,” to celebrate UVA and support programming across Grounds.

Supporters can choose to donate to any of UVA’s 11 schools, the Bicentennial Scholars Fund, the Parents Fund or the Cavalier Daily, to name a few options. Contributions to the Virginia Fund give UVA President Jim Ryan the flexibility to implement his highest priorities. Access the giving site for a list of opportunities.

You can have a big impact on UVA’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site by giving to the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative, which supports the restoration, renovation and repairs of the historic Jeffersonian Grounds.

There is also the opportunity to give to UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. Currently under construction, the site will formally acknowledge the work and lives of the nearly 5,000 enslaved African Americans who built and maintained the University from 1817 to 1865. All gifts to the memorial will be matched 1:1, doubling the impact of contributions of any size.

“There will be over $1 million in matching funds available from many of the individual areas,” said Patrick Stanley, the director for digital engagement for University Advancement. For example, Madison House, the nonprofit volunteer center for UVA students, has issued a direct $50,000 matching challenge.

And new this year, donors can seek to motivate their friends, family and peers by offering their own matching gift.

In all, Stanley says the University hopes to raise $5 million this year. There was no goal last year, but supporters of UVA gave nearly $4.5 million, a 20 percent increase over the previous year.

Giving to ’Hoos Day was first piloted in 2013 by the UVA Alumni Association and launched Grounds-wide by University Annual Giving in 2016. It has raised more than $10 million for more than 100 areas of the University.

Philanthropy to the University has produced significant results over the years. For example, the Bicentennial Scholars Fund, comprised of permanent endowments that support scholarships and provide deserving students with greater access to a UVA education, is thriving because of donations from the UVA community.

Matched by support from the Strategic Investment Fund, the fund was pushed over the initial finish line by alumni, parents and friends who matched UVA’s $100 million investment in a mere 18 months. The Board of Visitors has since added another $100 million in matching funds for qualifying gifts. To date, the University has raised $154.3 million in signed and verbal gifts and commitments for Bicentennial Scholarships, which will be matched with $122.4 million in matching funds from the University, for a total of $276.7 million in scholarship funds.   

Giving to ’Hoos Day brings together more alumni, parents and friends in support of the University than any other day of the year. In the days leading up to April 9, members of the UVA community are invited to submit suggestions to create unique campaigns in support of the University here.