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.
 

Joseph Lenzo, Xen Bossard, Keyla Valerio, Emma Bryant, Julianna Bullis, G. Pennisi and Gita Barua during their visit to the shrine of Kamakhya, the Goddess of Desire.

BRINGING WORDS TO LIFE

A study abroad program to India provided students with opportunities to experience modern India through stories written by and about Indian women.

Cadets with the University of Delaware’s AFROTC participate in an aeromedical evacuation mission to learn about careers in military healthcare.

NURSING TAKES FLIGHT

Nursing students in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps are getting hands-on experience to train for military healthcare careers.

UD alumna Kristin Mills Caldwell has made a big impact on Delaware sports.

A VISIONARY COACH

Alumna Kristin Mills Caldwell has made a big impact through the state as a player and coach, including being inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.

Mariah Bernanke, director of sports medicine for Chattanooga Football Club, who graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UD in 2024, poses inside Inter Miami Football Club’s Chase Stadium, where the team met for a regular season game.

GAME CHANGER

UD’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program helped alumna Mariah Bernanke land a dream role as director of sports medicine for Chattanooga Football Club.

The chair of the University of Delaware’s chemical and biomolecular engineering program is the founder and leader of the Center for Clean Hydrogen, a partnership between UD, West Virginia University, The Chemours Company, Plug Power and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

RENEWABLE ENERGY LEADERSHIP

Chemical and biomolecular engineering chair Yushan Yan was named one of Delaware’s most influential businesspeople for his leadership of the Center for Clean Hydrogen.

Delaware football fans will enjoy an enhanced gameday experience this fall, thanks to exciting upgrades to the Hen House powered by Schell Brothers.

ENHANCED FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

Thanks to a partnership with Schell Brothers, UD football fans will enjoy an enhanced gameday experience with upgrades to the Hen House powered by Schell Brothers.

“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