UAA’s Giving Day

The University of Alaska system is preparing for its annual UA Giving Day on March 24-26. 

The event invites students, faculty, alumni and community members to support university programs and scholarships across all UA campuses.

The Northern Light spoke with Director of Annual Giving for the UA foundation, Samantha Sink, and Chief Philanthropy Officer Bobi Rinehart about UA Giving Day and how students, faculty and staff can participate in the annual event.

The first UA Giving Day started in 2020, and since its creation, the UA system has hosted a UA Giving Day each year.

Sink said the goal of the UA Giving Day is to invite new donors to support and empower students through their donations to university programs and scholarships. Sink emphasized that there are hundreds of initiatives that people can donate to. 

Sink said the most recent UA Giving Day drew approximately 2,700 donors from across the UA system.

Departments and organizations receiving donations can also participate in UA Giving Day challenges. When a donor offers a challenge, they commit to making an additional gift if a specific goal — such as reaching a certain number of donations or a dollar amount — is met.

One systemwide challenge is the UA Launch Power Hour. Through this challenge, the UA Board of Directors will donate $5,500 to the UA General Scholarship when 200 donors give within the first hour of the UA Giving Day opening.

Another challenge encourages support for engineering programs, with 750 donors needed to complete the challenge for any engineering scholarship. If the donor goal is met, UA Foundation Board member Stephanie Erickson will contribute an additional $2,000, which will be split between the UAA and UAF colleges of engineering.

Sink said UA Giving Day averages between 1,500 to 2,500 donors each year. 

Rinehart said that the focus of UA Giving Day is more of identifying donors rather than the amount of money that is donated.

“Really, the idea is to get people in the door and figure out what they’re interested in,” said Rinehart.

Sink emphasized the importance of first-time donors and said building trust and learning what inspires donors when building new relationships is important. 

Alaska Airlines also donated three ticket vouchers to University of Alaska to help promote UA Giving Day opportunities.

Anyone interested in helping spread the word about UA Giving Day can create an account to become a champion. Champion accounts track referral links shared with potential donors, allowing participants to see their outreach. 

Becoming a champion and having a first referral automatically enters the participant into a drawing to win an Alaska Airlines travel voucher.

Another opportunity open to all students involves creating a donor appreciation video for the department they are supporting on UA Giving Day. 

Selected individuals are eligible to receive an airline ticket as a reward. Videos can range from five to 30 seconds.

Sink said the wide range of opportunities available on UA Giving Day helps make participation accessible to both students and community members.

“It makes supporting and celebrating what we love accessible and exciting,” said Sink.

Correction 3/19/2026 at 11:22PM AKST: This article has been updated to correct an error in the reported donation amount and donor details. Additionally, a staff member’s title has been revised for accuracy and the QR code has been changed to a more relevant link.