Giving Challenge Raises Over $500K for Scholarships

Nov. 15, 2022 — The University at Albany's fifth annual 1844 Giving Challenge raised more than $500,000 in just 1,844 minutes to support the University's Student Scholarship Fund. The number, 1844, is a reference to the founding year of the University. 

The event, held Oct.26 and 27, raised $254,771 from 880 individual gifts — a 50% increase from the previous year. The individual gifts' total was matched with a $250,000 gift from anonymous donors.  

UAlbany's senior director of annual giving, Dan Doyle, says the event's success is testament to the generosity of the UAlbany community and their commitment to helping students. 

"Our donors are simply amazing, and they recognize that strengthening our scholarship resources has never been more important to our students and to the University itself," says Doyle, a two-time alumnus.  “Giving events, like this one, offer a wonderful opportunity for our community to demonstrate their commitment and support for the University." 

UAlbany's Alumni Association provided custom socks as a thank you for gifts over $25. 

The 1844 Giving Challenge has attracted more than $2.6 million for student scholarships since its inception.