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.
 

UD junior Nivedita Prabhu’s unusual double major in biochemistry and political science is preparing her for a career in public health.

INTERSECTING SCIENCES

Junior Nivedita Prabhu’s biochemistry and political science double major helps her understand the intersection of science and society as she prepares for a career in public health.

Blue Hens celebrated the eighth annual giving day in the Perkins Rodney Room and around the world.

BLUE HEN PHILANTHROPY

The eighth annual I Heart UD Giving Day raised over $1.19 million from nearly 5,700 donors for UD programs and causes.

University of Delaware alumna Monica Sterk works as a regional medical director for Veterinary Emergency Group’s 20 hospitals in the northeast region.

MEDICINE MEETS MENTORSHIP

Alumna Monica Sterk works as a regional medical director for Veterinary Emergency Group and gives back to her alma mater through UD student mentorship.

Doctoral alumna Camila Polanco with her advisor, Roderick L. Carey, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development.

SHOWING STUDENTS THEY MATTER

Recent doctoral alumna Camila Polanco plans to use her dissertation work to help elementary children feel seen, heard and valued in their school communities.

University of Delaware undergraduate students summit the Cerro de la Muerte mountain peak in Costa Rica. The location is one of the only places to observe the volcano hummingbird and the volcano junco.

CAMARADERIE AND CONSERVATION

A month-long study abroad trip to Costa Rica offered students the opportunity to quantify and compare the country’s rich biodiversity.

 

Demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements continues to increase worldwide. To ensure that these critical elements are shared by all for the good of humanity, University of Delaware professor Saleem Ali has proposed the creation of a global minerals trust that would include independent audit mechanisms — like those used by the International Atomic Energy Agency — to ensure environmental and social safeguards.

GLOBAL MINERALS TRUST

Professor Saleem Ali recently proposed creating a global minerals trust to help countries work together to manage and share critical minerals fairly and sustainably.

“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