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

Why Give

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Alumni & Friends

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, more than 30,000 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 to make the remarkable happen at the University of Delaware, empowering students, transforming campus, inspiring faculty and building a lasting legacy at the University.

Samantha Lampert, HS18, 20M poses with her arms crossed.

CONNECTING PASSIONS

Samantha Lampert, HS18, 20M, was seeking to help fellow students on a path to holistic personal and spiritual wellbeing. Philanthropy made that possible.

Seth Rickey, ANR19 poses with his arms crossed in front of vegetables growing in a greenhouse on UD's campus.

INVESTING IN SOLUTIONS

Produce recalls and health scares due to bacterial contamination pepper the headlines. But how do we stop them? Seth Rickey, ANR19, might just know.

Four students present their entrepreneurial idea at a Horn Program event.

EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Horn Program at UD is making it possible for high school students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset before they get to college.

Will Baker EG15, EG23PhD, looks to the right of the camera and smiles.

IMPROVING OUR WORLD

Will Baker EG15, EG23PhD, and UD Engineering professor Chris Meehan, are finding innovative solutions that will make our roadways perform better and last longer.

Georgina Class-Peters and Mary Ellen Payne stand near each other on UD's campus as mentor and mentee.

THE MENTOR

Georgina Class-Peters was a UD graduate student looking for direction. Her mentor, UD alumna Mary Ellen Payne, gave her just that and so much more.

UDAA president and UD alumnus, Steve Beattie, BE87, poses in front of a Blue Hens statue.

SWIMMING SUCCESS

As a UD swimmer, Steve Beattie, BE87, learned teamwork, time management and drive—skills he hopes to help cultivate in today’s Blue Hens.

“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.

Make a Gift

102.6

million dollars raised in support of UD

29,137

donors to UD

39,892

gifts of $1,000 or more

39.2%

increase in donors since 2016

gifts of $1,000,000 or more

665

new Delaware Diamonds Society donors

“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

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.

Support a UD Cause >

Delaware Fund

The Delaware Fund supports causes, programs and people that reflect the greatest need at the University of Delaware. The funds generated for the Delaware Fund are directed at the discretion of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations ensuring that gifts support important issues facing UD.

DELAWARE FUND >

A scene from the Green on the University of Delaware campus with students.

Student Crisis Fund

Support students who face a serious financial hardship due to unanticipated crisis by giving back through the Student Crisis Fund. Situations are considered on a case-by-case basis and may eliminate unforeseen barriers to students’ persistence at UD.

student crisis fund >

Explore more areas where you can make an impact.

Delaware First:
The Campaign for the University of Delaware

The University’s first comprehensive fundraising and engagement campaign – Delaware First – is making the remarkable happen at UD.

Learn More

83 E. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Newark, DE 19716 dar-comm@udel.edu 302-831-2104