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

Trudie Thompson is an advocate for the University of Delaware's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Kent-Sussex—a vibrant network of accomplished professionals, engaging teachers and voracious learners.

SUPPORTING LIFELONG LEARNING

A longtime student and instructor in OLLI Kent-Sussex, Trudie Thompson made a $1 million bequest to establish an endowment to support programming and future growth.

Higher vitamin D levels in a mother’s blood during pregnancy have been linked to higher IQ scores in early childhood and reduced behavioral problems.

VITAMIN D AND PREGNANCIES

Professor Melissa Melough recently published a study that found a positive link between prenatal vitamin D levels and childhood cognition.

University of Delaware junior Paige Burchell, an Honors student from Jamison, Pennsylvania, is learning about the mathematical modeling that goes into weather and climate forecasting this summer, as she conducts research on the wind profiles of tropical cyclones.

STUDYING THE WIND

Junior Paige Burchell has spent her summer working with Professor Shuai Wang to better understand tropical cyclone wind profiles and their risks.

Ariane Klotz Enjoying First Season on the Ladies European Tour

ON THE PROFESSIONAL GREEN

After graduating from UD and earning a master’s degree in Europe, alumna Ariane Klotz began her professional golf career and is currently competing on the Ladies European Tour.

U.S. fashion companies and brands are rethinking their sourcing strategies in response to the Trump administration’s tariff and trade policies, according to new research by UD fashion professor Sheng Lu.

FASHION'S CHALLENGING FUTURE

Professor Sheng Lu partnered with the United States Fashion Industry Association to research the impact of tariffs and economic uncertainty.

Junior Brandon Leonhard began percussion lessons with CMS as an elementary school student, and this summer he taught Jazz Band camp.

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC

Students in UD’s School of Music gain professional teaching experiences by offering private lessons and classes through the Community Music School.

“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

 

The BHSF has evolved into UD’s leading tool for rapid-response projects. From housing grants for displaced students; to free virtual mental health counseling; to internship support for those who can’t afford to accept unpaid opportunities; to a laptop loaner program that expands access to necessary technology: the Blue Hen Strong Fund delivers immediate support to students.

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.

“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

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