The 49 hours that make a difference: UA Giving Day 2026

March 20, 2026

When - March 24 (starts at noon) until March 26 ( ends at 1 p.m.)

The 6th Annual Event - UA Giving Day is a large community‑driven fundraising event, with thousands of alumni, donors, and supporters participating worldwide.

giving day logo

For years, I have had the privilege of experiencing firsthand how UA Giving Day changes lives,” said University of Alaska President Pat Pitney. “Whether it’s helping a first‑generation student stay enrolled or supporting an academic program, these gifts ripple outward with a real and lasting impact. What we support today directly shapes the leaders, community members, and workforce Alaska will rely on in the future."

Gifts go further on UA Giving Day - The UA community has the opportunity to unlock more than $520,000 from matches and challenges, thanks to the generosity of more than 150 donors. 

What will benefit -  Donors can choose from hundreds of funds to benefit, including those that support students, scholarships, academic programs, research, athletics, special initiatives and more. UA General Scholarship, a scholarship to support the retention and recruitment of UAA, UAF and UAS students, is the priority initiative of UA Giving Day. In addition, each university has highlighted a priority area to meet their most pressing student needs:

  • University of Alaska Anchorage: UAA Student Support
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks: UAF General Scholarship 
  • University of Alaska Southeast: UAS General Scholarship

Ways to Participate

  • Champion: Register as a UA Giving Day Champion to help spread the word, inspire others to give and highlight personal priorities.
  • Give: Visit givingday.alaska.edu anytime during the event to make a gift.
  • Share: Anyone can make a public post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or the UA Giving Day website using #49HoursForAlaska before 12:59 p.m. on March 26 to be entered to win a round-trip Alaska Airlines ticket voucher, donated by Alaska Airlines. Each post counts as a separate entry. The drawing will be announced on social media by the end of April. 

For more information about UA Giving Day at each university, visit givingday.alaska.edu or contact: 

  • UA Director of Public Affairs  - Jonathon Taylor, jonathon.taylor@alaska.edu, (907) 786-1190
  • UAA Director of Marketing & Communications - Katie Bender,  kbender3@alaska.edu, (907) 786-1435 
  • UAF Communications Director - Marmian Grimes, mlgrimes@alaska.edu, (907) 474-7902
  • UAS Executive Director of Advancement  - Chris Natynski, crnatynski@alaska.edu, (907) 796-6416

For more information, please contact Maggie Demers, UA Foundation director of communications and public relations (907-450-8039 or maggie.demers@alaska.edu).