Higher Education

UWF’s Day of Giving Raises $278K, Gets Donations From All 50 States for First Time

The eighth annual fundraiser blew past its goal by more than $100,000 — but unlike last year, the university didn’t say who helped reach it.

The University of West Florida raised $278,554 from 1,078 donors during its eighth annual Day of Giving, exceeding its fundraising goal by more than $100,000, the university announced.

The 24-hour campaign, held during UWF Founders Week, also hit a milestone the university had never reached before: donations came in from all 50 states.

“Not only did we surpass our goal by a remarkable margin, but we also received support from every state — an inspiring testament to the strength of the UWF community.”
— Rebecca Matthews, UWF Board of Trustees Chair

The Day of Giving is an annual fundraiser tied to the university’s broader Here for Good campaign. Gifts support scholarships, academic programs, student experiences and strategic initiatives.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

The 2026 campaign raised significantly more money than last year’s effort — but drew fewer individual donors. The seventh annual Day of Giving, held in April 2025, raised more than $194,000 from 1,256 donors against a fundraising goal of $175,000. A month later, UWF President Dr. Martha Saunders resigned after a hostile board meeting.

That’s a $84,000 jump in dollars raised year over year, though donor count fell by 178. The shift suggests a higher average gift in 2026 — roughly $258 per donor, compared to about $155 per donor in 2025.  

What the Money Supports

UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said the donations would be felt across campus. “Our donors are investing in our students, empowering innovation and helping position UWF for continued growth and excellence,” he said.

The university flagged two areas of momentum it says the campaign supports:

• Division I athletics transition — UWF is in the process of moving up from Division II
• Student success and community engagement — expanded programming and opportunities tied to the Here for Good campaign

More information on giving to UWF is available at uwf.edu/give.

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