One Day, One OHIO: Celebrate OHIO Giving Day 2026 on April 8 and donate to move OHIO forward
Ohio University’s seventh annual Giving Day will take place April 8, 2026, engaging alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University to take part in giving to causes they feel most passionate about supporting.
Julia Weber, BSJ '25, MAA '26 | April 1, 2026
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For 24 hours, Bobcats everywhere—across campuses, states, and generations—will come together to give back to the place that forever changed us. Together, we will move OHIO forward.
How you can get involved in Giving Day 2026
Anyone and everyone can participate as an OHIO Giving Day Advocate for funds important to them. Together, Advocates help to spread the word about OHIO Giving Day and uplift causes they are invested in by amplifying specific scholarships and funds that are meaningful to them.
Last year, 41% of Giving Day gifts were secured via an Advocate link, and 59% of all online dollars were secured via an Advocate link. Advocates are eligible for prizes. You can visit givingday.ohio.edu to sign up to volunteer as an Advocate this year. We’ll provide you with instructions and a toolkit to support you along the way!
Giving Day Advocates are eligible for exclusive incentives.
As an Advocate, you are eligible for exclusive Giving Day Advocate incentives. One gift earns you a lapel pin, while five gifts earn you a keychain. At 15 gifts, you’re eligible to receive a picnic blanket and at 30 gifts, you’ll even earn an OHIO garden gnome!
Double your impact and win OHIO gear during OHIO Giving Day 2026
OHIO Giving Day 2026 will see multiple power hour incentives throughout the day with chances for donors to both win exclusive OHIO gear and double their impact. Between 9 and 10 a.m. and 9 and 10 p.m., donors who give $70 or more to the fund of their choice will receive a one-of-a-kind OHIO beach towel. Bring it along on your next trip to the nearby Stroud’s Run State Park or to your favorite beach wherever you go!
Our Annual Foundation Board of Trustees Power Hours will take place between noon and 1 p.m. and 6 and 7 p.m., and the first $200 of all gifts to any featured fund on the OHIO Giving Day platform will be matched dollar-for-dollar until funds are depleted. Make sure to give early in the hour to take advantage of this matching opportunity!
Additionally, if you want to give early, a gift of $40 to any fund between now and April 7 on OHIO’s Giving Day campaign qualifies donors for one of the following items: a retro Front Room coffee mug, a deck of playing cards, a 1972 folk festival poster or an OHIO notebook.
Get involved on campus
Student events will take place on the Athens campus between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Baker Theatre Lounge, with sweet treats, giveaways and a cold brew coffee bar free for OHIO students to enjoy. Stop by to sign a thank you card for a donor, take a polaroid picture with Rufus and play games. You can also take part in the scavenger hunt across campus organized by the Student Alumni Board, and you may even win a prize!
