2025 One Day One KU reaches new heights, raising more than $5 million in 24 hours

LAWRENCE – On Feb. 20-21, from noon to noon, more than 4,500 Jayhawks worldwide came together for the eighth annual One Day One KU giving day to support the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System.

In just 24 hours, the power of collective giving was demonstrated as donors contributed $5,441,521 through 6,166 gifts. The funds will support a wide variety of programs, initiatives and big ideas that will shape lives and positively influence the KU community, the state of Kansas and the world.  

“What Jayhawks can accomplish when we unite — in just 24 hours — is incredible,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “I want to thank every donor, no matter the amount you contributed, for your tremendous support and passion for the University of Kansas.” 

Contributions raised through One Day One KU will benefit research, scholarships, student opportunities and more. This year’s giving day was an overwhelming success thanks to the generosity of the extensive KU community, as well as challenge gifts that helped strengthen the impact of each gift. New facets of the giving day, Power Hours and Leaderboard challenges, provided the opportunity for participating KU areas to win bonus dollars throughout the day, thanks to a transformational gift made by an anonymous couple.  
 

Key highlights of One Day One KU 2025: 

• Donors from all 50 states and eight countries united to participate in One Day One KU. 
• Doug Girod and his wife, Susan Girod, provided two challenges to support KU Grounds and Campus Landscape and The University of Kansas Cancer Center. 
• More than 120 challenge gifts, including 25 from KU leaders, inspired greater engagement from the KU community.  
• For the first time, student organizations joined the giving day including Jayhawk Motorsports, Women’s Club Volleyball and KU Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, who earned extra funds based on their outreach and engagement through the giving day.  
• Monarch Watch won $13,000 through the new Power Hour challenges as well as an additional $16,000 by earning the top spot on the Participation Leaderboard with a total of 533 gifts. 
   

Additionally, more than 250 One Day One KU “ambassadors” advocated for their favorite areas at KU with their friends and family. Through their outreach efforts, these ambassadors helped bring in nearly $300,000. 

“We’re humbled by the generosity of donors across the country and the world who came together for One Day One KU to support the university,” said KU Endowment President Dan Martin. “The impact of each gift is transformational for KU, now and for the future.” 

Since its inception, One Day One KU has raised more than $21 million through gifts from Jayhawks around the world. This annual 24-hour giving initiative continues to grow, with each year bringing more supporters and more opportunities to make an impact at KU and The University of Kansas Health System.