University of Central Florida
04/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/10/2026 12:18
UCF Day of Giving 2026 Launches Knights to New Heights
In a powerful show of generosity and shared purpose, thousands of donors, alumni and supporters rallied together during UCF Day of Giving on April 9 to support not only the university, but the futures of its students and the communities they will go on to serve.
The Power of a 24-Hour Mission
In a single day, 5,187 donors from across the country and around the globe gifted more than $14.9 million in support of UCF's bold vision for the future, setting a new record in dollars raised during UCF Day of Giving. With contributions spanning across all 12 colleges and 200 programs and initiatives, participants included both longtime supporters and first-time donors, reflecting a growing community united by a shared belief in the power of education, discovery and opportunity.
From the moment the campaign launched at midnight, momentum built quickly - across campuses, communities and time zones. Hour by hour, participation grew as alumni, students, faculty, staff, partners and friends added their support, each gift contributing to something larger than any single moment.
Momentum Across Knight Nation
By mid-morning, the energy of UCF Day of Giving was unmistakable. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Student Union buzzed with celebration as everyone gathered for photobooths, coffee and conversations that turned into meaningful contributions.
Knightro and the spirit team brought the energy to the Student Union to help celebrate UCF Day of Giving. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart)The celebration extended beyond main campus, with similar moments unfolding at UCF Downtown and the Health Sciences Campus, reinforcing UCF Day of Giving as a university-wide movement.
"Every gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward." - President Alexander N. Cartwright
"UCF Day of Giving is a powerful reminder of what Knight Nation can accomplish together," says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. "Every gift helps expand opportunity for our students, fuels discovery and sparks innovations that move our communities forward."
UCF Day of Giving is a key moment within Go for Launch: The Campaign for UCF's Next Mission and the university's most ambitious revenue-generating effort to date.
Powered by Knight Nation
Through the Go For Launch campaign, UCF builds upon four priorities that will amplify our impact and create our future. They represent the pioneering spirit of UCF and speak to the unique needs of our dynamic community: elevating student success, fueling discovery and innovation, advancing future frontiers and maximizing competitive excellence. Together, these priorities accelerate UCF's continued rise as Florida's Technological University and create opportunities that extend far beyond campus.
This campaign shares the same collaborative spirit that's fueled record-breaking results for UCF Day of Giving year after year.
"We recognize the unique combination of philanthropy, partnership and collective drive needed to bring bold visions to life, and we're proud to lean into that," says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for advancement and partnerships at UCF and CEO of the UCF Foundation, Inc. "At UCF, we're building a future that others have only begun to imagine, and that pursuit is sustained not by any one individual or group, but by the power of many."
For students like Ervin Xhemali the impact of these efforts is both immediate and life-changing. A first-generation student funding his education independently, Xhemali initially thought the scholarship credit in his account was a mistake, until he realized it came from the Katherine Crock Memorial Fund, established by Raymond Smithberger '02MBA in honor of his mother.
The scholarship helps remove financial barriers so students can focus on learning and future goals. For Xhemali, an economics major balancing coursework with multiple jobs, the support was more than financial, it was a catalyst for what would come next.
President Alexander N. Cartwright engaged with the crowd gathered at the UCF Student Union. (Photo by Kadeem Stewart)Across campus and online, UCF Day of Giving spotlighted stories of impact - students discovering new opportunities, faculty advancing breakthroughs and alumni carrying the Knight spirit into industries and communities worldwide.
Transformational investments fueled that momentum, including a $500,000 grant from Bank of America to support the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on UCF's Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona. The gift closed a more than $30 million private fundraising effort for the facility, bringing UCF's vision for its College of Nursing to life alongside $43 million in state support.
Fuel for the Mission
Over the past four years, 24,411 individuals have invested more than $49.5 million through UCF Day of Giving, strengthening the foundation for continued impact and growth.
Together, these moments reflect what has always defined UCF: a belief that bold ideas, supported by a committed community, create lasting change. In just 24 hours, Knights demonstrated how collective generosity can expand opportunity, accelerate innovation and move ideas forward.
Together, Knight Nation isn't just imagining the future; through moments like UCF Day of Giving, we're creating it.
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University of Central Florida published this content on April 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 10, 2026 at 18:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]