‘One Day For UK’ Rallies University Community in Unprecedented Fundraising Effort

In a remarkable demonstration of unity and generosity, the University of Kentucky (UK) held its annual fundraising event, ‘One Day For UK’, that brought together alumni, faculty members and fans to support various programs and causes on April 18th, 2024. The online day of giving raised a significant amount of $1,615,043 in just 24 hours.

A common cause

‘One Day For UK’ offered a unique opportunity for the Wildcat community to unite and express their support for the University and its numerous programs. President Eli Capilouto, in a celebratory email, thanked the donors for their generosity, stating that helping to uplift the community and facilitate its progress towards ambitious goals has a significant ripple effect, changing lives for the better.

Power Hour Challenge

The event featured several Power Hour Challenges, where colleges, programs, and units competing for the highest number of donations within a specific hour could secure additional funding. The Chellgren Center claimed the first prize of $1,000 during the 7 a.m. Power Hour challenge, followed by the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering coming out victorious during the noon session.

Alumni Association Leaderboard

The Alumni Association Leaderboard monitored alumni associations that had raised the most funds for scholarships. The Greater Louisville UK Alumni Club came out on top, raising $3,346 from 34 members.

Bringing a touch of competition

Other events included competitions where participants with the highest referrals for online donations could secure a monetary award to donate to their chosen cause. The winner in this category was Amanda Nelson, who successfully referred 31 gifts and won $1,000 to donate as she wished.

Leaving a mark

The fundraising drive also saw substantial contributions to different colleges and programs within the University. The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering topped the ‘Large Colleges Leaderboard’ with a total of 262 donors, securing an additional $1,000 prize. Among the Medium-sized colleges, the College of Fine Arts emerged victorious, whereas the College of Public Health led in the ‘Small Colleges Leaderboard’ category.

Impressive results

This united effort culminated in the substantial sum of $1,615,043 raised in a single day. This display of togetherness not only fuels University programs but also reinforces the sense of community, drives progress, and reaffirms the University of Kentucky’s commitment to making a difference. The final amount collected from the drive will be announced on May 10, 2024.