UC alumni and friends make a big impact on UC Day of Giving

The University of Cincinnati’s seventh annual Day of Giving, which ran from noon to noon April 9-10, raised more than $3.8 million for student support, innovation initiatives, research efforts, college-based programs, and other work across UC and UC Health. Alumni, donors, students, faculty and staff united to make 3,588 gifts and create a substantial impact throughout the university community.

“As a cornerstone of Alumni Week, UC Day of Giving strengthens the connection between our family of lifelong Bearcats and those who will follow in their footsteps,” said Richard Bundy, president of the UC Foundation.” This year’s record-setting level of support is a testament to the UC community’s collective belief in our mission and their passion to help UC reach even greater heights. It’s an extraordinary story.”

UC Day of Giving success stories include:

• More than 900 donors gave over $163,000 to support student scholarships, which play a vital role in ensuring UC students can stay enrolled and graduate on time.
• More than $140,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds were provided by generous alumni and donors, raising $283,000 for scholarships, research, and immediate resources for UC’s colleges.
• Causes such as the UC Student Emergency Fund, the Marian Spencer Scholarship Program, the Innovation Scholars Program, and the Bearcats Pantry benefited from 245 donors who made targeted gifts to support student success. Learn more about driving student success through philanthropy.  
• The Bearcat Spirit Squad and Bearcat Bands were significant beneficiaries of UC Day of Giving donors. Gifts to these student-centered programs will help close the funding gap for expenses and equipment. The Bearcat Spirit Squad, which consists of the UC Cheerleaders, Dance Team, and Bearcat mascot, received 308 gifts totaling $24,230, while the Bearcat Bands received 319 gifts totaling $26,935; each group received 100+ more gifts this year than during last year’s UC Day of Giving. 
• 148 UC Day of Giving ambassadors inspired 932 gifts totaling $48,216 collectively. Details about challenge winners and ambassador awards can be found at dayofgiving.uc.edu.

Several UC Day of Giving gifts will have a transformative impact on the university community, including:

• College of Medicine residency graduate Dr. Brad Warner gave $2 million to create the Brad W. Warner, MD Endowed Chair in the Department of Surgery to support the General Surgery Residency Director. Learn more about Dr. Warner’s journey and what inspired this gift.
• Dr. Robert D. Bush, Med ’76 gave $1 million and created the Robert D. Bush, MD, Endowed Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing a career pathway in primary medicine, with a preference for student(s) who demonstrate an interest in practicing in rural areas.
• Jerry Kathman, DAAP ’76 and Elizabeth Grubow, DAAP ’80 gave $25,000 to the Jerome C. Kathman and Elizabeth M. Grubow Scholarship in Design Fund, which provides support to full-time students enrolled in the School of Design within the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.  

Featured image at top of UC students on campus. Photo/UC Alumni Association.