UA Giving Day raises funds for 49 straight hours

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - For a fifth straight year, the University of Alaska Anchorage is participating in a 49-hour fundraiser aimed to help academic and extracurricular programs at campuses statewide.

The annual UA Giving Day hopes to eclipse last year’s donations of $387 thousand from over 1,100 donors.

The event kicked off at noon on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday at 1 p.m.

According to the University, donors are able to support programs of personal interest, ensuring dollars are going directly where the donor intends.

Programs to benefit from the donations include scholarships, student success initiatives, and research opportunities. Donors can also give directly to athletic programs or their favorite UA college.

One of the programs benefiting from the fundraiser is the UAA Food Insecurity Fund, which offers struggling students access to a food and supply pantry.

“Any money that is donated into the food insecurity fund does go to help support the food pantry, so the types of things that we offer in the pantry include food,” said Amanda Walch, an associate professor of dietetics and nutrition.

“They’re all non-perishable food supplies, but we also have personal hygiene products and some school supplies and other basic needs that our students might need,” she said.

Donations gathered during the 49-hour UA Giving Day will help unlock challenges. UAA says that the challenges are linked to fundraising goals that will unlock more funds thanks to corporate or university partners.

Area businesses are also giving back. The Motely Moo Creamery is donating 20% of all Cookies n' Green sales to UA Giving Day.

“Giving Day is about the collective power of Alaskans for Alaskans,” said Chancellor Sean Parnell. “It’s not just about the dollars; every donation, social media post and share creates a ripple effect that uplifts our university. Giving Day is about making an ongoing investment in UAA students and our future.”

Donors are encouraged to promote their donations and challenge others via social media in an effort to fund key programming at UAA.

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