Donors give more than $2.6 million on One Day. One KU. to fuel the next big idea

LAWRENCE, Kansas — The seventh-annual One Day. One KU. 24-hour day of giving on March 6 underscored the collective impact of Jayhawks around the globe coming together to support the University of Kansas community.

Under the inspiring theme of “the next BIG IDEA starts here,” a total of $2,610,624 from 5,031 gifts was raised. These contributions, which ranged from $5 to $250,000, will support learning, discovery and community outreach for students, faculty and staff across all five KU campuses, affiliates and The University of Kansas Health System. More than 3,700 donors from all 50 states and 11 countries united on this year’s giving day.

“It’s remarkable what Jayhawks around the world can accomplish when they unite in support of our great university,” Chancellor Douglas A. Girod said. “Every individual who contributed on One Day. One KU., no matter the amount, made a positive impact on the university and helped show the power of the KU community.”

The success of One Day. One KU. was enhanced by more than 140 match-donation and challenge gifts from KU leaders and donors to amplify contributions and promote the collective participation this initiative inspires.

Among these match-donations and challenges were:

• Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and his wife, Susan, encouraged gifts through challenges for KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and KU Libraries, contributing $5,000.
• Two anonymous donors matched $50,000 in gifts to The University of Kansas Health System’s Center for Advanced Heart Care.
• Members of the Edwards Campus Advisory Board matched $6,000 in gifts in support of students at the Edwards Campus.
• Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer matched $5,000 in gifts for the KU Campus Cupboard, an initiative to help give students access to adequate food, ensuring they can meet their essential needs during their time in college.
• Tom and Melinda Kearney and family matched $6,000 in gifts to support Audio-Reader and Kansas Public Radio.
• Kurt and Sue Watson matched $5,000 in gifts for the School of Medicine-Wichita’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship to educate the next generation of Kansas psychiatrists.
• A $10,000 Campus Landscape challenge for KU Grounds was met, which will provide additional support for creating unique spaces on the Lawrence campus. The challenge was funded by the Historic Mount Oread Friends, KU Endowment Senior Vice President of Property Monte Soukup and former KU Endowment president Dale Seuferling.

KU alumnus Garry Tanner, who earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1984, was inspired to give by his undergraduate experience with the KU Crew Club. He gave a $100,000 gift to the student-led rowing club to support its future and address essential equipment needs.

 “One of the great things I did at KU was go out for the KU Crew Club. It turned out to be a tremendous experience,” said Tanner. “I hope my gift helps open the door for more to experience the joy of the KU Crew Club and share the camaraderie and success of one of the truly great team sports you can do.” 

One Day. One KU. shows the collective impact of Jayhawks driven by the desire for transformative change that empowers innovation, opens research opportunities and creates hands-on student experiences. Since its inception in 2018, the giving day has raised more than $15.5 million through 27,745 donor gifts. 

Ambassadors were also key to propelling this year’s giving day forward by sharing with their networks through emails, social media and texts. This year there were 309 ambassadors whose efforts inspired 1,322 gifts.

 “We are so grateful to the many donors who shared their passion for the university on this year’s giving day and inspired others to join in support of KU,” said KU Endowment President Dan Martin. “The collective power of each individual act of generosity will be felt for years to come.”

About KU Endowment

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.