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.
 

Sara Penuela Rodriguez (left), an interdisciplinary neuroscience doctoral student, administers infrared laser light therapy as part of a blinded study investigating its potential to address Parkinson’s symptoms by improving cellular metabolism and increasing blood flow.

LIGHTING UP HOPE

A team of UD researchers is conducting a study to determine if infrared laser light therapy can help treat Parkinson’s disease.

The newly renovated Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp.

SHARPER SHIP

UD’s Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp recently received extensive upgrades that will allow it to continue to support experiential learning opportunities and faculty and federal research.

Chelsia Douglas, a fourth year doctoral student in Public Policy and Administration at the Biden School. Originally from Jackson, Alabama, Douglas chose UD for its experiential learning model, which combines policy research with real-world political experiences.

A PASSION FOR POLICY

Doctoral student Chelsia Douglas combines policy research, personal political experience and her passion for public service to support student success and institutional change.

John Routzahn, who graduated from UD in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in applied molecular biology and biotechnology, is now working as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the National Cancer Institute, focused on RNA-targeted therapies.

FUELING RESEARCH CAREERS

Alumnus John Routzahn credits his UD education and research experiences with helping him land a job as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the National Cancer Institute.

Stephen Maister (left) was one of eight UD students who spent last month looking for downed planes and MIAs from World War II in Micronesia as interns with Project Recover. He and fellow UD student Lauren Koch help clean the autonomous underwater vehicles that map the seafloor.

FINDING HISTORY

A UD-sponsored interdisciplinary internship with Project Recover allowed senior communications major Stephen Maister to pursue his passion for looking for the wreckage of downed service planes.

Working under Charles Bartlett, UD Class of 2025 insect ecology and conservation major Solomon Hendrix used UD’s Insect Research Collection (UDCC) to study planthoppers.

INSECT DISCOVERY HUB

UD’s Insect Research Collection helped recent alumnus Solomon Hendrix turn his passion for identifying and photographing insects into a future in entomological discovery.

“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