Day of Giving 2026 saw donors make their mark on NC State and raised $43,656,421, creating a lasting impact on the generations of the Wolfpack to come.
The eighth annual celebration, which took place on March 25, is NC State’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and draws in supporters for areas all across the university. From social media challenges to giving leaderboards to events on and off campus, the whole Wolfpack came together to celebrate the university’s work and invest in its future.
“For this one day, all of us came together, and what that means to me is that you believe in the mission of the university,” said Kevin Howell, who was celebrating his first Day of Giving as NC State’s chancellor. “Thank you for this extraordinary day and for showing the strength of the Pack.”
Day of Giving is important to units year-round. In past years, money raised on the day has sent students to conferences, purchased accessible desks, provided technology to rural school teachers and children, awarded scholarships and so much more. Each Day of Giving 2026 gift will continue to enhance the Think and Do spirit for years to come.
“Everyone wants to see the impact of their philanthropy and that’s what Day of Giving represents,” said Brian Sischo, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Donors are excited to invest in their passions, and each year, I’m so grateful to see how their giving makes a tangible difference for our students.”
Donors from all 50 states, D.C., and all 100 North Carolina counties contributed on the day. While most supporters celebrate the day online, students, faculty and staff attended numerous Day of Giving events in person throughout campus. Nearly 450 students attended at least one of the available campus events to learn about philanthropy, make a gift, share their NC State story and, of course, get some exclusive Day of Giving swag.
“Everyone has the opportunity to participate in something bigger than themselves,” said Chancellor Howell. “You get to put your stamp on NC State, making this university even better than it is today, preparing us for the bright future ahead.”
For the first time this year, the Wolfpack was invited to share how NC State made its mark on them, giving everyone a chance to shoutout the people, units and places on campus that shaped their lives. The digital board is an inspiring testimonial to the long-lasting impact of land-grant institutions like NC State. Members of the Pack shared stories, like Oakleigh Shields, whose submission earned the Student Alumni Association a bonus of $1,000:
“During my freshman year at NC State, I felt completely lost. Coming to such a large university was exciting, but it was also overwhelming, and I struggled to find where I truly fit in. One day, I came across a Facebook post about the Student Alumni Association Ambassadors and decided to apply, hoping it might help me get more involved. I had no idea that submitting that single application would change my entire college experience. Through SAA, I found not only a strong sense of belonging, but also incredible mentors, professional opportunities and friendships that have shaped who I am today. Looking back, joining SAA was one of the best decisions I’ve made at NC State.”
Day of Giving gifts had an even bigger impact because of challenge and leaderboard bonuses, which come from unrestricted university enhancement funds. Some of 2026’s most notable winners are:
- Wilson College of Textiles, which earned a bonus $5,490 by midnight for raising the most money of any college or unit.
- The College of Education won the Faculty and Staff Giving Hour for the fifth year in a row. Because the challenge hour consistently has the highest participation, this year had two giving hours, with College of Sciences snagging the early morning Faculty and Staff Giving Hour win.
- The Power Your Pack Leaderboard, which gives money based on how many more gifts a unit brings in than their previous best Day of Giving, saw Caldwell Fellows take the number one spot, with Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy close behind them. Both areas won just under $6,000.
- Bill Hunt, William Neals Reynolds Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, provided another beautiful performance of the Red and White Song, earning BAE a bonus of $1,500.
- Academic and Student Affairs, with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences close behind them, won almost $4,000 for having the highest number of gifts.
- The Passion Match Challenge, which allowed the Pack to shoutout their favorite area, tallied the most shout outs for WKNC 88.1, earning them a bonus of $3,000.
- 473 individuals signed up to become Pack Leaders, enthusiastic supporters of Day of Giving and NC State who rally their networks to give on the day. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences won a bonus of $2,000 after receiving the most amount of gifts through Pack Leader fundraising pages.
Leading up to Day of Giving, giant red pins started appearing around campus, representing some of the major ways, and places, donors make their mark at the university, and providing a good photo opportunity for the campus community. It’s hard to look around NC State without seeing a multitude of ways the Wolfpack has contributed to the university, our state and beyond — Day of Giving continues to be proof that everyone has the potential to make a mark.
This post was originally published in Giving News.
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