'One Day for UK' is today!

photo of UK Wildcat
The university’s annual 24-hour giving day has raised $9.3 million since 2019. Donors around the world are invited to give to the college, unit or cause they care most about at UK. Arden Barnes | UK Photo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 19, 2023) — For 24 hours, the University of Kentucky is encouraging donors around the world to give to the college, unit or cause they care most about at UK.

The fifth annual One Day for UK giving day began at midnight and will continue until the calendar turns to April 20.

Since UK’s inaugural giving day in 2019, One Day for UK has raised over $9 million across more than 150 funds on campus. One Day for UK has grown every year to include more funds and attract more donors to support the university.

“We are excited for this fifth edition of One Day for UK,” said Andrew Palmer, UK’s director of annual giving. “In 2019, this was a new concept. Now, we’ve gained significant momentum, and that means more gifts toward scholarships, research and other groundbreaking initiatives.”

A complete list of colleges, units and causes that are participating in One Day for UK can be found online at www.onedayforuk.uky.edu.

The UK Office of Philanthropy is hosting events across campus where the campus community can learn more about One Day for UK and receive free commemorative items. Look for tables at these locations today:

  • Inside the Gatton Student Center from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Outside White Hall Classroom Building from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Inside The 90 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

UK Dining is also participating in the day by encouraging students to donate flex dollars for meal swipes. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in front of Champions Kitchen and from 5–8 p.m. at the Fresh Food Company at The 90, students can swipe their UK ID to donate flex dollars to students in need. When students give $5 in flex dollars on One Day for UK, UK Dining will match the gift to provide the cost of one meal swipe, which is $11.

Additionally, the Swag Cab will be cruising through campus with special guests to provide lucky students with a ride to class and a chance to win prizes.

One Day for UK supports the university’s comprehensive campaign, Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign, which increases opportunities for student success, funds innovative research, improves health care, strengthens the alumni network and enhances athletic programs. With more than $1.9 billion raised toward the $2.1 billion goal, Kentucky Can benefits from every gift on One Day for UK.

Visit the One Day for UK website to make a gift and track our progress.

To join the online conversation, follow #OneDayforUK on all social media platforms.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.