A male and female, dressed in blue robes, smile at their graduation from the University of Delaware.

Why Give

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

UD’s extraordinary success is fueled by the power of collective giving. Every donor and every gift makes a profound impact on the University community.

 

Every year, thousands of alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students give back to UD.

 

They give to change the world. They give to propel UD forward. They give for reasons as vibrant and varied as UD's people and programs. Most importantly, they give because they believe in the University of Delaware.

 

Why will you give? Make your gift today. 

Your Generosity, Their Success


Dedicated UD donors like you help transform lives and the world by empowering students, changing campus, inspiring faculty and building a lasting legacy at the University.
 

Bilal Nichols Makes Major Gift to Delaware Athletics

CEMENTING HIS LEGACY

Alumnus and Arizona Cardinals defensive end Bilal Nichols decided to give back to UD to support an upcoming facilities project and help other Fightin’ Blue Hens.

 

University of Delaware undergraduate Jillian Fader teaches chemistry students to play a quantum number board game

GAME-BASED LEARNING

Senior Jillian Fader has been working with Professor Lauren Genova to research how board games can facilitate chemistry students’ understanding of quantum numbers.

CEHD Assistant Professor Eric Layland and doctoral student Mohammad Mousavi share new research and strategies for supporting the coming out process.

SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH

In honor of National Coming Out Day, Professor Eric Layland and doctoral student Mohammad Mousavi shared insights from their latest research on supporting the coming out process.

For Marisol Catalan Olais, a senior McNair Scholar at the University of Delaware, astrophysics combines the things she loves most — such as math and astronomy. Her undergraduate research with Associate Professor Véronique Petit has made her eager to pursue doctoral studies.

DRAWN TO STELLAR MYSTERIES

Senior Marisol Catalan Olais is researching “Be” stars to determine if their magnetic fields can be detected, which has made her eager to pursue doctoral studies.

Sheik Hess-Lewis with “Bargaining,” the first of five panels composed of paint, poetry and mosaic exploring grief at the Art and Design Summer Scholars exhibition.

FROM DENIAL TO CREATION

Through their Summer Scholar project “Denial Smells like Lavender,” junior Sheik Hess-Lewis used art to explore their experiences with grief and coming out.

Tropical Storm Helene damage across North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024. Courtesy of North Carolina Department of Transportation Communications.

HEALTH AND HURRICANE HELENE

Professor and Core Faculty at the Disaster Research Center Jennifer Horney outlines the health risks in mountain areas flooded by Hurricane Helene.

“We were really inspired by the vision of President Assanis and Dr. Kelvin Lee. They talked about how it takes some cancer patients months to get the treatment they need. In the new biopharmaceutical center, they will research how to bring much-needed medicines to market for patients much quicker, creating faster and better access to care and saving lives. This center will do so much for creating jobs, enhancing education in this field and advancing health care—the trifecta of elements that can make such a big difference for so many.”

 

- Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., BE08M

Support your UD Passion

 

Your gift of any amount, to any of our 100+ funds, makes a profound difference for the University and its students.  

HenFunder logo.

HenFunder

Join fellow Blue Hens in supporting a cause close to your heart through HenFunder, the University’s crowdfunding platform. UD students, alumni, faculty and staff use this unique platform to raise funds for initiatives and programs that will significantly impact members of the University community.

 

Blue Hen Strong Fund

Blue Hen Strong Fund

The BHSF has evolved into UD’s leading tool for rapid-response projects. From housing grants for displaced students; to free virtual mental health counseling; to internship support for those who can’t afford to accept unpaid opportunities; to a laptop loaner program that expands access to necessary technology: the Blue Hen Strong Fund delivers immediate support to students.

Three students sit together and smile.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Fund

The JEDI Fund will help provide programs, resources and opportunities to cultivate educated and empowered individuals who not only understand societal challenges related to equity and social justice, but have the tools to create solutions to address them.

 

Explore more areas where you can make an impact.

“I give to education because I believe in it. When students succeed, we all succeed. My gifts enable students to gain experience in the wider world—and bring visibility to the programs that my colleagues, staff, students and alumni work hard to develop.”

 

- Greg Shelnutt, Chair, UD Department of Art & Design

Philanthropy is Everywhere: youtube.com/watch?v=FunQvDxHiVs

Philanthropy is Everywhere

 

Azhir Jones, a UD sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship, is here to set the record straight on what philanthropy really means at UD.  

Learn More