11,431 donors raised more than $3M for vital University initiatives on the 10th annual Pitt Day of Giving

The Pitt community celebrated the 10th annual Pitt Day of Giving (PDoG) on Feb. 24, rallying together to show its incredible commitment and generosity.

A total of 11,431 donors representing all 50 states, 32 countries and six continents gave to dozens of areas and funds across each University of Pittsburgh school, college and campus as well as many student organizations. This year’s daylong fundraising sprint generated more than $3.04 million for scholarships, research, academic programs, student organizations, athletics and other vital initiatives.

“I’m grateful for the extraordinary alumni, families, students, faculty, staff and friends who joined in on this milestone anniversary and truly demonstrated what’s possible when we all come together for Pitt,” said Jake Strang, associate vice chancellor for individual giving, university programs. “Each year, our community steps up and rises to the challenge to make an amazing impact through Pitt Day of Giving, supporting their favorite areas across the University.”

Students, faculty and staff celebrated PDoG with activities, challenges, prizes and giveaways. Festivities kicked off early in Pittsburgh with “10 Days of PDoG” events beginning Feb. 15. Buildings and offices throughout campus showcased their spirit with banners, posters and window paintings. Students who found a plush Panther hidden on campus could direct a $50 donation, made possible by a specific Pitt community donor, to a participating organization of their choice. Others donated items to the Pitt Pantry, enjoyed meals and treats from local food trucks or put their Pitt knowledge to the test in trivia competitions at The Eatery and the William Pitt Union.

More than 9,000 supporters signed on as PDoG Ambassadors, using their personal networks, emails and texts to encourage others to make gifts, too. This year’s PDoG featured the on-screen reunion of the University’s mascots after their history-making appearance together last year. Reprising their PDoG Marketing Committee roles were Pitt-Greensburg’s Bruiser Bobcat, Pitt-Johnstown’s PJ, Pitt-Titusville’s Pounce, Pitt-Bradford’s Piper and Roc from the Pittsburgh campus. Hundreds also logged on to play a leveled-up PDoG video game in its second year, dashing across campus as their favorite mascot.

Challenge funds, provided in part by University trustees and leaders, allowed the Pitt community to participate in friendly online competitions. Throughout PDoG, gifts were tracked and updated on real-time, online leaderboards. The schools, programs and student organizations that landed at the top of the boards received additional funding.

The 2026 challenges and winners included:

• Schools and Colleges Raise the Bar Leaderboard — $70,000: Pitt-Greensburg took the top spot with a 65% increase in donors — 529, compared to 321 in 2025. Winnings will be distributed to the 10 schools, colleges and campuses that exceeded their 2025 donor total.
• Schools and Colleges Level Up Leaderboard — $30,000: Winnings will be distributed evenly across the seven schools, colleges and campuses that “leveled up” by reaching their increased donor goals for PDoG 2026. Pitt-Greensburg topped the leaderboard this year.
• Places, Experiences + More Leaderboard — $25,000: Student Affairs, $10,000; Pitt Global, $7,500; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, $5,000. These winnings are also distributed among the top 10 leaders.
• Places, Experiences + More Raise the Bar Leaderboard — $25,000: Pitt Global took the top spot with a 55% increase in donors — 415, compared to 267 in 2025. Winnings will be distributed to the six areas that exceeded their 2025 donor totals.
• Student Organization Leaderboard — $10,000: Pitt Men's Glee Club, $5,000; Catholic Newman Club, $2,500; Club Cheer, $1,500; Club Swimming at Pitt, $1,000.
• Pitt Athletics Participatory Leaderboard — $10,000: Cheer, Dance and Mascot Championship Fund; Band Championship Fund and Women’s Lacrosse Championship Fund took the top three spots for highest number of donors. Winnings will be distributed among the trio.
• Power Hour winners received gifts from the most donors during a designated hour on PDoG.
  • Schools and Colleges Power Hour — $3,000: Pitt-Greensburg
  • Places, Experiences and More Power Hour Challenge — $3,000: Falk Laboratory School
  • Student Organizations Power Hour Challenge — $2,000: Catholic Newman Club

Challenges for these donor groups surpassed their participation goals:

• Graduates of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.): 1,304 alumni from the classes of 2016 to 2025 made a gift, topping the goal of 1,300 donors. A total of $2,500 will be awarded to the Band Championship Fund, the fund with the most G.O.L.D. donors. G.O.L.D. Challenge funds were made possible through the generosity of trustee and past Pitt Alumni Association President Lisa Golden (A&S ’93).
• Parents: 2,239 Pitt parents made a gift in this challenge’s second year, and $2,500 will be awarded to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. The challenge’s goal was 2,125 donors.
• Faculty and Staff Challenge: 2,577 Pitt faculty, staff and retirees made a gift, an increase over last year. A total of $5,000 will be awarded to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, the fund with the most faculty, staff and retiree donors.

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside our community during every PDoG since its founding, and I was thrilled to see so many people — on campus, in the region and across the world — uniting to make this 10th anniversary such a remarkable celebration,” said Sean Dean, senior director for annual programs in the Division of Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement.

“I can’t thank our supporters enough for their dedication and the opportunities they create for students, faculty and researchers every day. That collective generosity fuels PDoG’s growth and helps ensure an even brighter future for Pitt.”

See all the results — and join in with a gift to keep the momentum going — at Pitt Day of Giving.

Photography by Tom Altany