A male and female, dressed in blue robes, smile at their graduation from the University of Delaware.

Why Give

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

UD’s extraordinary success is fueled by the power of collective giving. Every donor and every gift makes a profound impact on the University community.

 

Every year, thousands of alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students give back to UD.

 

They give to change the world. They give to propel UD forward. They give for reasons as vibrant and varied as UD's people and programs. Most importantly, they give because they believe in the University of Delaware.

 

Why will you give? Make your gift today. 

Your Generosity, Their Success


Dedicated UD donors like you help transform lives and the world by empowering students, changing campus, inspiring faculty and building a lasting legacy at the University.
 

UDance raises over $1.8 million to support families fighting childhood cancer.

FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER

The 12-hour dance marathon UDance raised over $1.8 million to help support families who are battling childhood cancer.

 

Bennett Maruca, associate professor of physics and astronomy, has a new thermal vacuum chamber in the Delaware Space Observatory Center he directs. The instrument makes it possible for University of Delaware students to develop and test CubeSat research satellites for a 2026 NASA launch.

UD IN SPACE

NASA selected a spacecraft being created by a team of UD students—which will be Delaware’s first orbital spacecraft—as part of its CubeSat Launch Initiative.

The University of Delaware’s ESports Arena invited students to play games that participants had submitted during UD’s inaugural climate-themed video game jam.

CLIMATE GAME ON

An inaugural climate-themed video game jam challenged contestants to create an original game that addressed oceans, women leaders and climate change.

The University of Delaware’s Office of Sustainability addresses sustainability from both academic and operations perspectives. Both parts of the office have been diligently working to improve and broadcast UD’s sustainability efforts.

LEADING SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

The Office of Sustainability is addressing sustainability from academic and operations perspectives, which has helped make UD among the most sustainable universities in the country.

Alison Travers, assistant director of UD’s School Success Center (left) listens as Chéryl Wilmore, program coordinator for Wilmington University’s Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation, speaks during a small group breakout session.

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

UD’s Community Engagement Initiative worked with representatives from other Delaware colleges to host a symposium that considered how artificial intelligence can strengthen academic-community partnerships.

UD’s The College School specializes in teaching students with learning differences. Here, seventh grader Sanaa eagerly participates in a science lesson on divergent boundaries with classmates Katherine and Nate sharing in the group activity.

FOSTERING STUDENT SUCCESS

The College School helps elementary and middle school students with learning differences thrive through a research-based program that incorporates findings from faculty across UD.

“We were really inspired by the vision of President Assanis and Dr. Kelvin Lee. They talked about how it takes some cancer patients months to get the treatment they need. In the new biopharmaceutical center, they will research how to bring much-needed medicines to market for patients much quicker, creating faster and better access to care and saving lives. This center will do so much for creating jobs, enhancing education in this field and advancing health care—the trifecta of elements that can make such a big difference for so many.”

 

- Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., BE08M

By the Numbers

From record-breaking, seven-figure gifts to thousands of two-figure gifts, every donor and every gift makes a profound impact on the University community.

FY22

“I give to education because I believe in it. When students succeed, we all succeed. My gifts enable students to gain experience in the wider world—and bring visibility to the programs that my colleagues, staff, students and alumni work hard to develop.”

 

- Greg Shelnutt, Chair, UD Department of Art & Design

Support your UD Passion

 

Your gift of any amount, to any of our 100+ funds, makes a profound difference for the University and its students.  

HenFunder logo.

HenFunder

Join fellow Blue Hens in supporting a cause close to your heart through HenFunder, the University’s crowdfunding platform. UD students, alumni, faculty and staff use this unique platform to raise funds for initiatives and programs that will significantly impact members of the University community.

Blue Hen Strong Fund

Blue Hen Strong Fund

Gifts to the Blue Hen Strong Fund will directly and immediately address the urgent needs of our UD students to ensure their success at UD and beyond – providing success grants to cover tuition, access to technology and advancements to online learning tools, career readiness support and so much more. 

Three students sit together and smile.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Fund

The JEDI Fund will help provide programs, resources and opportunities to cultivate educated and empowered individuals who not only understand societal challenges related to equity and social justice, but have the tools to create solutions to address them.

Explore more areas where you can make an impact.

Philanthropy is Everywhere: youtube.com/watch?v=FunQvDxHiVs

Philanthropy is Everywhere

 

Azhir Jones, a UD sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship, is here to set the record straight on what philanthropy really means at UD.  

Learn More