The University of Kentucky’s giving day, “One Day for UK,” is today, Wednesday, April 21. The UK community is encouraged to participate in the 24-hour virtual event to help advance the university’s mission to improve people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service and health care. Throughout the one-day fundraising campaign, which is currently underway, donors can give to the college, program or cause of their choice.
“We have been planning for this day for months and we are excited to see what the UK community can do in one day,” says director of annual giving Andrew Palmer. “The resilience of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends is admirable and they have proven that anything is possible when we work together. Every gift we receive today will bring us one step closer to building a brighter future for this institution.”
Donors can visit www.onedayforuk.uky.edu to find causes and make gifts, view real-time progress, see videos about the impact of giving and find their “why,” the theme for this year’s “One Day for UK.”
“As we prepared for ‘One Day for UK’ this year, we kept coming back to the question, ‘Why give?’ With so many opportunities, important initiatives and life-changing programs on campus, we wanted to highlight the many reasons why UK needs the support of donors and encourage people to find their ‘why,’ at UK,” Palmer said. The theme, “Be the Y,” also plays into the tradition of the UK cheerleaders spelling the word Kentucky on the court during a UK men’s basketball game. A celebrity walks onto center court and outstretches their arms to be the “Y” in Kentucky. “This is a favorite moment many UK fans are familiar with and we wanted to have fun with the theme while raising money for UK,” Palmer said.
Supporters can also promote the university’s giving day on social media by using #OneDayforUK in posts, wearing Kentucky blue wherever they are around the world, and participating in “One Day for UK” challenges.
Throughout the day, challenges will open providing opportunities for programs on campus to win extra funds. In most cases, the challenges are tied to the number of donors and gifts. Supporters can also unlock extra cash to direct to the fund of their choice through social media challenges—no donation necessary—such as the “Be the Y” challenge. Anyone can post a photo in the “Y” pose to social media with the “One Day for UK” hashtag to win $250 to the college, program of cause of their choice. Many generous donors have already made commitments leading up to “One Day for UK” to multiply the impact of a gift with matching donations. To see all the challenges and matching opportunities, click here.
“One Day for UK” is not completely virtual this year as a few in-person events will take place today. The campus community is encouraged to visit the courtyard between the White Hall Classroom Building and the Ralph G. Anderson Building from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. to take a photo with the life-size Kentucky letters and pick up a “One Day for UK” t-shirt and swag.
UK Dining is partnering in the day by encouraging students to donate flex dollars for meal swipes. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fresh Food Company at The 90 and from 5 – 8 p.m. in front of Champions Kitchen, students can swipe their UK ID to donate flex dollars to students in need. When students give $5 in flex dollars on “One Day for UK,” UK Dining will match the gift to provide the cost of one meal swipe, which is $10.30.
"One Day for UK" supports the university’s comprehensive campaign, Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign, which increases opportunities for student success, funds innovative research, improves health care, strengthens the alumni network and enhances athletic programs. Now, with more than $1.5 billion raised toward its $2.1 billion goal, Kentucky Can benefits from every gift.