UW Giving Day Brings Wyoming Together to Support Students and Education

The University of Wyoming is bringing its community of supporters together for its 12th annual Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising campaign designed to strengthen educational opportunities and support students across the state. Under the theme “It’s Giving,” this year’s campaign invites alumni, families, faculty, staff, and friends of the university to contribute to the programs and initiatives that help students succeed.

Running from noon on Wednesday, October 21, to noon on Thursday, October 22, the campaign features more than $1 million in matching funds and challenge incentives. Supported by the UW Foundation Board and the McMurry Foundation, these matching opportunities can help participating gifts go further. With approximately 280 fundraising campaigns representing colleges, departments, and regional campuses, supporters have a wide range of causes to consider.

For students at the University of Wyoming at Casper, Giving Day offers an opportunity to strengthen support close to home. The local initiative, “A Fresh Start,” focuses on scholarships and emergency assistance for students navigating the financial challenges that can accompany higher education. Many students balance coursework with employment, family responsibilities, and other commitments, making access to timely assistance an important part of continuing their education.

One initiative, “Pokes Never Ride Alone,” is designed to help students experiencing unexpected hardships, including housing difficulties, medical expenses, and family emergencies. For working parents, veterans, adult learners, and first-generation college students, this kind of support can help ease difficult circumstances and make it more manageable to remain enrolled and work toward a degree.

Giving Day also supports academic opportunities beyond direct financial assistance. The UW English department’s “Courageous Curiosity” campaign seeks to help fund student travel to academic conferences, bring visiting writers to campus, and support community workshops and student writing opportunities. These experiences can extend learning beyond the classroom, helping students connect with new ideas, develop their skills, and engage with broader academic and creative communities.

Throughout the campaign, additional challenges encourage participation from different parts of the UW community. “Pokes Recruitin’ Pokes” promotes peer-to-peer fundraising, while “Wellness in the WEST” highlights faculty and staff health, research, and well-being. The “Poke Parent Challenge,” powered by Blue Federal Credit Union, invites parents to take part, and hourly Power Hours, including Alumni Participation, Early-Bird, and Poke Parent Participation Hours, offer additional opportunities to build momentum throughout the 24-hour event.

While Giving Day brings together a broad network of supporters, its impact is also reflected in the specific needs of students and programs. Contributions can help provide financial relief, create academic experiences, and sustain opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to access. For UW at Casper, supporting local students means investing in people who are pursuing their education while continuing to contribute to their families, workplaces, and communities.

Supporters can explore participating campaigns and learn more about the available matching opportunities through the official UW Giving Day website at give.uwyo.edu/giving-day-2026. Whether contributing to student assistance, academic programs, or another university initiative, each gift offers a way to participate in a shared effort to strengthen education across Wyoming.

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