Ducks Give — the University of Oregon’s annual day of giving — returns May 14 following its record-breaking 10th anniversary.
In 2025, the UO community gave more than $2 million through over 4,000 gifts during the 24-hour campaign. This powerful show of collective support included 148 Ducks Give Ambassadors who helped drive nearly 500 gifts, raising $63,044. Serving as trusted voices within their networks, ambassadors share why they give and encourage friends and family to join them.
One standout last year was University Advancement employee, Alicia Lewis, who secured nearly 100 gifts on her own. For Lewis, that impact was personal. As a parent at the Vivian Olum Child Development Center, Lewis recognized a need to advocate for the facility’s funding needs.
“The center’s work, if done well, is mostly invisible,” Lewis said. “But the contributions to the community are immeasurable.”
She leveraged her network to secure a $10,000 anonymous challenge gift and rally support from the “Olumni” community to unlock it.
Supporting Oregon Rising
Building on that momentum, the theme of Ducks Give 2026 is “Rise With Us,” a reference to the Oregon Rising strategic plan.
“I like the phrase ‘collective aspiration’ to describe Oregon Rising because it’s ambitious, optimistic and recognizes that Oregon’s future relies on the contributions of everyone in the community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and donors,” associate director of annual philanthropy Celeste Christie said. “Ducks Give is about the power that donors have when they come together with a shared vision for Oregon’s future.”
This year’s campaign will elevate the Oregon Rising Fund in particular, which provides flexible support to advance key initiatives across campus, from scholarships and academic programs to research and community engagement.
How to get involved
More than 40 units will participate in the May 14 event, which will include festivities and special perks throughout the day, such as:
- Appearances by the Oregon Duck and Caesar the No Drama Llama.
- The “Art Cart,” a mobile performance and exhibition space designed to bring creativity directly to the community.
- An afternoon ice cream social for faculty and staff donors in the Ford Alumni Center.
- Free admission to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
- A photo booth, bracelet-making station and plenty of pizza at the Erb Memorial Union.
- Festivities at the College of Education, Lundquist College of Business and other units.
Supporters can expect opportunities to amplify their impact throughout the day, including a $21,000 UO Faculty and Staff Student Support Challenge fund that will unlock after 250 gifts.
Ready to get involved? Here’s what you can do:
- Visit ducksgive.uoregon.edu to learn more and mark your calendar for May 14.
- Sign up to be a Ducks Give Ambassador—those who register by April 14 will receive a personalized sticker pack.
- Donate on May 14 to your favorite UO program or cause (or make a gift any day of the year at giving.uoregon.edu).
With every gift, story and shared moment, Ducks Give proves that when the UO community rises together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
—By Sammy Houston, Advancement Communications