A male and female, dressed in blue robes, smile at their graduation from the University of Delaware.

Why Give

TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

UD’s extraordinary success is fueled by the power of collective giving. Every donor and every gift makes a profound impact on the University community.

 

Every year, thousands of alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students give back to UD.

 

They give to change the world. They give to propel UD forward. They give for reasons as vibrant and varied as UD's people and programs. Most importantly, they give because they believe in the University of Delaware.

 

Why will you give? Make your gift today. 

Your Generosity, Their Success


Dedicated UD donors like you help transform lives and the world by empowering students, changing campus, inspiring faculty and building a lasting legacy at the University.
 

Melissa Stabler (right), a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist in UD’s Nutrition Clinic, and Madison Lucas, a first-year nutrition and dietetics major, have the same calling. They were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age and aim to dedicate their lives to helping others with diabetes.

LIVING WITH DIABETES

The UD Nutrition Clinic, which offers students hands-on learning experiences, takes a personalized approach to diabetes care and education to help improve community health.

 

Roderick L. Carey, assistant professor in UD’s College of Education and Human Development, meets with high school students at the Delaware Art Museum.

IMAGINING POSTSECONDARY FUTURES

Assistant Professor Roderick L. Carey published research examining Black and Latinx experiences at a college preparatory school and how the school could better support its students.

 

With over two decades of women's ice hockey coaching experience, the University of Delaware has selected Allison Coomey to be the inaugural head coach of the women's ice hockey program

WOMEN'S HOCKEY COACH

Allison Coomey was named the inaugural head coach of the women’s ice hockey program, which will play its first season in 2025-26.

More than 63% of babies in the U.S. don't receive developmental surveillance, and as a result, less than 10% of babies with developmental delays are correctly identified and receive early intervention that can change the course of their lives. Michele Lobo, associate professor of physical therapy, is working to change that by creating PRECARE, a smart baby monitor that supports earlier identification of development delays.

DETECTING DELAYS EARLIER

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Michele Lobo is creating a smart device that aims to detect developmental delays earlier than traditional methods.

Kevin Martin (left), curator of audiovisual collections and digital initiatives at the Hagley Museum and Library, and Jim Culley, alumnus of UD’s MALS program, examine a portion of the thousands of sponsored films from Culley’s family film studio waiting to be preserved and digitized at Hagley.

PRESERVING FILM HISTORY

Alumnus Jim Culley’s capstone project in the Master Arts in Liberal Studies program brought the archive of one of Cleveland’s largest industrial film studios to Delaware.

From left, Master Corporal Alaina Battle, Master Corporal Shannon Hummel and Lieutenant Adrienne Benevento are three of 13 women officers employed by the University of Delaware Police Department. UDPD is one of 80 police departments at American colleges and universities to join as a partnering agency with the 30x30 Initiative and commit to improved inclusivity and gender diversity of its officers, staff members and administrative leaders.

BADGE OF HONOR

The UD Police Department is one of only two Delaware police departments to join the 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase gender diversity in policing.

 

“We were really inspired by the vision of President Assanis and Dr. Kelvin Lee. They talked about how it takes some cancer patients months to get the treatment they need. In the new biopharmaceutical center, they will research how to bring much-needed medicines to market for patients much quicker, creating faster and better access to care and saving lives. This center will do so much for creating jobs, enhancing education in this field and advancing health care—the trifecta of elements that can make such a big difference for so many.”

 

- Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., BE08M

By the Numbers

From record-breaking, seven-figure gifts to thousands of two-figure gifts, every donor and every gift makes a profound impact on the University community.

FY22

“I give to education because I believe in it. When students succeed, we all succeed. My gifts enable students to gain experience in the wider world—and bring visibility to the programs that my colleagues, staff, students and alumni work hard to develop.”

 

- Greg Shelnutt, Chair, UD Department of Art & Design

Support your UD Passion

 

Your gift of any amount, to any of our 100+ funds, makes a profound difference for the University and its students.  

HenFunder logo.

HenFunder

Join fellow Blue Hens in supporting a cause close to your heart through HenFunder, the University’s crowdfunding platform. UD students, alumni, faculty and staff use this unique platform to raise funds for initiatives and programs that will significantly impact members of the University community.

Blue Hen Strong Fund

Blue Hen Strong Fund

Gifts to the Blue Hen Strong Fund will directly and immediately address the urgent needs of our UD students to ensure their success at UD and beyond – providing success grants to cover tuition, access to technology and advancements to online learning tools, career readiness support and so much more. 

Three students sit together and smile.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Fund

The JEDI Fund will help provide programs, resources and opportunities to cultivate educated and empowered individuals who not only understand societal challenges related to equity and social justice, but have the tools to create solutions to address them.

Explore more areas where you can make an impact.

Philanthropy is Everywhere: youtube.com/watch?v=FunQvDxHiVs

Philanthropy is Everywhere

 

Azhir Jones, a UD sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship, is here to set the record straight on what philanthropy really means at UD.  

Learn More