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.
 

New Wall Street Journal rankings recognize UD’s high graduation rates and graduates’ salaries.

TOP NATIONAL RANKINGS

The Wall Street Journal ranked UD #26 overall among 500 colleges and universities nationwide and #10 among 235 public universities.

In his latest co-authored research Dustin Sleesman, associate professor of management in UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, explored the concept of intuition and when it's helpful for leaders who are in charge of large teams.

INTUITION AND LEADERSHIP

Professor Dustin Sleesman recently published research that examined the concept of intuition and when it’s beneficial for leaders of large teams.

Undergraduate students spend summer in Lewes, Delaware studying Clearnose skates

CLEARNOSE SKATE METABOLISM

Four undergraduate students spent their summer at UD’s Sharp Campus in Lewes to study the different influences and variables on metabolic rates in Clearnose skates.

LaShanda Korley, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Delaware, directs the Center for Plastics Innovation, which is conducting pioneering research essential to reducing plastic waste.

THE PLASTICS PROBLEM

Led by professor LaShanda Korley and bolstered by the Department of Energy, UD’s Center for Plastics Innovation is conducting pioneering research essential to reducing plastic waste.

UD student Ebenezer Antwi, going into his junior year studying operations management, worked with Shop Made in DC, which promotes local artisans and manufacturers, in his summer 2024 internship.

THE RIGHT LINK

Junior Ebenezer Antwi was one of only 12 students nationwide selected to participate in the Washington Program, which helps young Black men make valuable government and corporate connections.

Esther Biswass-Fiss (standing) works in the lab with Masoumeh “Masi” Sadeghinejad, a first-year doctoral student on vision research.

ADVANCING HOPE

Professor Esther Biswas-Fiss recently received a $2.3 million grant to study vision loss and potential therapies that could help people impacted by vision loss.

“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

Gifts to the Blue Hen Strong Fund will directly and immediately address the urgent needs of our UD students to ensure their success at UD and beyond – providing success grants to cover tuition, access to technology and advancements to online learning tools, career readiness support and more. 

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