Day of the Badger

media release: To help address the greatest needs on the UW-Madison campus, the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association will hold the fourth annual Day of the Badger event. This year, virtual and in-person events will bring alumni and friends of UW-Madison together to raise critical funds to help the university remain a world-class educational institution. Badgers everywhere are encouraged to give. Gifts of any size add up and make a difference.

There are more than 100 areas of campus participating in Day of the Badger this year, including a variety schools, colleges, departments, and campus causes. UW alumni and friends are encouraged to give to any and all causes they are passionate about. These areas can be found at dayofthebadger.org.

Thanks to available matching gifts, contributions during Day of the Badger 2023 could unlock additional resources for UW-Madison.

Alumni and friends are also encouraged to share their enthusiasm and support for the UW on their social channels, using the hashtag #dayofthebadger.

Begins Tuesday, March 28, at 10:12 a.m. CDT; concludes on Wednesday, March 29, at 5 p.m. CDT. All told, the event runs for 1,848 minutes — a nod to the year the university was founded.

Follow along on social media: #DayoftheBadger

Due to a recent incident on the UW-Madison campus, the events scheduled at Union South during the “Day of the Badger” fundraiser will not occur. The online day of giving event that benefits UW-Madison departments, programs, and activities will proceed, and Badgers from around the world can show their support with gifts to areas they are most passionate about. 

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association would like to additionally share resources for the campus community who may be affected by this recent incident:   

• UHS Mental Health Services (24/7), 608-265-5600 (option 9)
• Dean of Students Office, 608-263-5700 
• Employee Assistance Office, 608-263-2987 
• Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin, call or text  988

Ways to Get Involved:

 Make a gift.

Gifts of any amount make a difference. While gifts can support many parts of campus, priority funds include:

• Chancellor’s Annual Fund: Offering the most flexibility of any fund, the Chancellor’s Annual Fund empowers Chancellor Mnookin to address the UW’s most urgent needs as they arise and evolve. When you give to this fund, your gift impacts the entire university.
• Great People Annual Scholarship Fund: This fund support students who are accepted to UW-Madison but do not have sufficient financial resources to enroll and attend the university.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Gifts to the Raimey-Noland Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund support campuswide efforts to promote a welcoming community at UW-Madison. Your gift provides resources necessary to enroll more students from underrepresented backgrounds, attract diverse faculty and mentors, and provide resources and support to enable campus to thrive.

In addition, there are more than 100 areas of campus participating in Day of the Badger. They include a variety of schools, colleges, departments, and campus causes. UW alumni and friends are encouraged to give to any and all causes they are passionate about. All areas can be found at dayofthebadger.org.

o    This is a vital moment for alumni and friends to ensure the excellence of UW-Madison into the future. With a gift you can:

§  Support students in need.

§  Help to create a diverse and inclusive campus experience for all.

§  Maintain the university’s ability to offer a world-class education.

§  Fund critical research.

§  Serve the community.

Double your impact with available matching gifts. Thanks to generous donors, many contributions will be doubled. Details of those matches are available in each program area on dayofthebadger.org.

Share your support and enthusiasm for UW-Madison.

o    Get your personal networks involved and be vocal about why you love the UW. Use the hashtag #dayofthebadger on your social networks to join the conversation, which can include:

§  Proudly sporting Badger-red attire March 28-29.

§  Sharing favorite UW-Madison memories, photos, and stories.

§  Celebrating the impact Badgers have on the world.

§  Showing examples of Badgers living the Wisconsin Idea as they find solutions to some of the world’s great challenges.