October 20, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCT. 20, 2020

University of Alaska Launches Giving Day October 20

The University of Alaska will celebrate its inaugural Ů�źϼ� Giving Day beginning on Tuesday, October 20. Ů�źϼ� Giving Day – “Forty-nine hours for the 49^th state” is an online fundraising effort for Ů�źϼ� alumni, friends, community members and supporters to come together in support of the University of Alaska. Giving Day begins at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and donors will have the opportunity to participate through 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.

Ů�źϼ� Giving Day is a collaborative effort between the University of Alaska Foundation and the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast. It is an opportunity for donors to invest in students and programs they care about at Ů�źϼ�. Donations of all sizes are welcome.

“The primary goal of this inaugural Ů�źϼ� Giving Day is to bring the community together in support of our university because Ů�źϼ� has such a vital and profound impact all across Alaska,” said Megan Riebe, acting president of the Ů�źϼ� Foundation. “Philanthropic contributions help make our students’ dreams come true, and they strengthen our important research and programs.”

“Our donors directly impact the lives of Ů�źϼ�S students -no gift is too small and every gift can make a difference,” said University of Alaska Southeast Interim Chancellor Karen Carey. “We just can’t thank you enough for your kind generosity.”

“The Ů�źϼ�A campus might look different this year, but the amazing work of our faculty, staff and students remains as strong as ever,” said University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen. “Ů�źϼ� Giving Day is an opportunity to support that work and help ensure our Hometown university continues to grow and thrive.

"Giving Day is a great way for our communities to join together in support of Nanook Nation. All gifts, large and small, will help support students and programs at Ů�źϼ�F,” said University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Dan White. "In addition, challenges from benefactors such as Usibelli Coal Mine, Dr. Cary Keller and Sarah Keller, and Spirit of Alaska Federal Credit Union will multiply the impact of each gift."

The Ů�źϼ� Giving Day website, , has tools to help participants easily share the event through digital and social media channels. The website will track not only overall dollars and donors generated during Ů�źϼ� Giving Day, but also gifts to schools and colleges, departments, programs and designated funds.

“We are encouraging everyone to post about Ů�źϼ� Giving Day across their social media channels using the #Ů�źϼ�GivingDay2020 hashtag and to share in the Ů�źϼ� Giving Day fun and excitement.” Riebe said. “We hope to flood social media channels with University of Alaska pride.”

Donors are encouraged to support the campus and area of the University most meaningful to them. Social media ambassadors will challenge friends and family to also support the University of Alaska on Ů�źϼ� Giving Day.

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For more information about Ů�źϼ� Giving Day efforts by university, please contact:

Kirstin Olmstead, Ů�źϼ�A, 786-1435, kbolmstead@alaska.edu
Marmian Grimes, Ů�źϼ�F, 474-7902, mlgrimes@alaska.edu
Lynne Johnson, Ů�źϼ�S, 796-6416, lejohnson@alaska.edu

Social Media

Facebook: @Ů�źϼ�KFoundation, @Ů�źϼ�Anchorage, @Ů�źϼ�Fairbanks, @Ů�źϼ�SAlaska, @uasystem
Twitter: @Ů�źϼ�KFoundation, @Ů�źϼ�Anchorage, @Ů�źϼ�Fairbanks, @Ů�źϼ�Southeast, @Ů�źϼ�_System
#Ů�źϼ�GivingDay2020

Websites

givingday.alaska.edu
givingday.alaska.edu/uaa
givingday.alaska.edu/uaf
givingday.alaska.edu/uas