Frequently Asked Questions

What is Day of the Badger?

Day of the Badger is a day, and then some (1848 minutes to be exact), for all alumni, students, and friends throughout Badger nation to make a far-reaching impact in a short amount of time. This is a party to pay it forward by celebrating and supporting the UW.

Everyone who loves UW–Madison is welcome and encouraged to participate. The goal is to unite Badgers to advance the mission of the university by celebrating its achievements and raising critical funds to help the UW remain a world-class educational institution.

When is Day of the Badger?

Day of the Badger 2026 begins Tuesday, April 14, at 10:12 a.m. CDT and concludes on Wednesday, April 15, at 5 p.m. CDT (a total of 1848 minutes … in a nod to the year the university was founded)

How Can I Get Involved in Day of the Badger?

• Make a gift.
  • Gifts of any amount make a difference.
  • At its core, Day of the Badger helps the university advance its mission and the Wisconsin Idea.
  • It is a vital moment for alumni and friends to:
    • Support students in need
    • Help to create a diverse and inclusive campus experience for all
    • Maintain the university’s ability to offer a world-class education
    • Fund critical research
    • Serve the community
    • Demonstrate Badger resilience by helping to move the UW forward
• Share UW spirit by joining the conversation on social media at #DayoftheBadger.
  • Share favorite UW-Madison memories, photos, and stories.
  • Celebrate the impact Badgers have on the world.
  • Share examples of the UW community living the Wisconsin Idea — finding solutions to today’s problems.
  • Proudly sport (and snap a photo of) Badger-red attire.

Can I choose where my Day of the Badger gift goes?

Yes! There are more than 150 areas of campus participating in Day of the Badger, including a variety of schools, colleges, departments, and campus causes. UW alumni and friends are encouraged to give to any and all funds they are passionate about.

How will gifts be used?

This will depend on the fund(s) you decide to support. Each fund page has a short description to give a better understanding of how contributions will make a difference.

Where does the matching-dollar money come from?

These gifts come from our generous donors.

Is there a minimum gift amount?

Yes. There is a $5 minimum donation.

Can gifts be made by phone or mail?

You can make a gift by phone by calling 800-443-6162 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CDT on April 14 & 15. Because of the short duration of Day of the Badger, mailed gifts will only count toward the Day of the Badger total if you call and pledge to give during the event.

How can I give stock to support the giving day?

Visit WFAA’s online form for gifts of appreciated securities.

What if I want to give via my donor-advised fund or make a qualified charitable IRA distribution?

Yes! If you’d like to make either a Qualified Charitable Distribution gift from your IRA or a distribution from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), you can let us know of your intention and have your gift counted towards Day of the Badger and any applicable challenges or matches through our online form.

Are Day of the Badger contributions tax deductible?

A mailed gift receipt for tax purposes will be sent out from the University of Wisconsin Foundation. A receipt can be expected to arrive in the mail roughly two weeks after a gift is made. To confirm whether a Day of the Badger contribution is tax deductible, you should consult with your tax advisor.

What is the refund policy?

Charitable gifts are generally not refundable. Refunds will be made in the event of a mistake or if the purpose for which the gift is given cannot be fulfilled by the Foundation. Individuals who receive refunds have the responsibility of correcting any tax filings they have made reflecting the refunded amount. For questions about a gift, please contact Gift Services at 800-443-6162.

Who can I contact with giving-related questions?

Please reach out to the University of Wisconsin Foundation by calling 800-443-6162 or emailing uwf@supportuw.org.

Why did I see a notice about cookies?

Cookies are a text file, stored on your device, that enhance your browsing experience by saving some information as you move from page to page within the site – like the items in your Giving List (shopping cart). If you browse this site in “private mode” or have cookies disabled, you can still make a gift, but some features and functionality (including the shopping cart) will not be available.

Why am I seeing a lag on match and challenge updates?

The digital cards that display information about matches and challenges update every 10 minutes due to server constraints. This is different than the gifts/dollars statistics shown on campaign pages and on the home page, which update several times per minute. If you believe the criteria for your chosen match or challenge have been met, please wait 10 minutes to confirm the change. You may need to clear your browser cache or use an incognito window to see the update as soon as it happens.