2026 One Day One KU breaks record for gifts, raises over $5 million in 24 hours

The ninth annual One Day One KU on April 28-29 saw over 4,800 Jayhawks worldwide unite to support the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System. From noon to noon, donors from all 50 states and several countries contributed $5,137,966 through more than 7,000 gifts, a record for the giving day. These gifts will support programs and initiatives university wide, bolstering research, scholarships, student opportunities and more.

“One Day One KU celebrates the extraordinary power of community,” said KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “Thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends united to invest in our shared future, and we are deeply grateful for their generosity. This day is more than a single moment. It is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.”

Over 120 challenge gifts helped propel the success of One Day One KU. These challenges inspired broad participation, unlocking even greater support.

Highlights of One Day One KU 2026:

• The Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum generated the most support: almost $740,000. The most donors gave to Monarch Watch: over 460.
• Chancellor Girod and his wife, Susan, gave $5,000 in challenge funds when 50 donors made a gift to the KU Marching Band.
• There were 30 challenge gifts from 32 KU leaders, including Provost Arash Mafi, deans, academic unit directors and campus affiliates.
• Over 25 student organizations participated in One Day One KU for the first time this year, and three new unit initiatives joined as well: student support for the KU Medical Center, the KU Institute for Policy and Social Research and the KU MS Achievement Center, which researches multiple sclerosis.

One Day One KU could not reach so many Jayhawks without the nearly 200 ambassadors who called on their network of family and friends to advocate for their favorite KU causes. Through their outreach efforts, these ambassadors helped generate and inspire almost $320,000 in support.

Since it began in 2018, One Day One KU has raised over $26 million through gifts from Jayhawks around the world. This annual 24-hour giving event continues to gain momentum each year, attracting even more supporters to make an impact on all five KU campuses and The University of Kansas Health System.

 “Donors on One Day One KU made a remarkable statement about the depth and breadth of what the University of Kansas stands for,” said KU Endowment President Dan Martin. “Their gifts support a wide spectrum of schools, programs, research initiatives and student experiences that are making a difference in Kansas and around the world. Thanks to them, KU’s impact will grow for generations to come.”