April 7, 2026

Ferris State University’s One Day for Dawgs day of giving set for April 8; 24-hour event features ambitious $300,000 goal for 2026

Ferris State University is hosting its annual day of giving event on Wednesday, Apr. 8, creating an opportunity for campus and community members to support students and programs.

One Day for Dawgs is the university’s annual effort to grow philanthropy and awareness for student support activities across campus. This year features more than 100 total fundraising causes ranging from championship athletic teams to endowed student scholarships and more, all focused on supporting the Bulldog student experience.

Challenges and matching gifts return for 2026 to bolster causes and donor efforts. Popular competitions like the Athletics Challenge, which awards bonus funds to the highest-achieving men’s and women’s athletics teams, are fun ways to make donations go even further.

University President Bill Pink brought back his student-focused challenges once again and invites current students to vote on a cause to receive his bonus gift. Student voting will be held in the David Eisler Center on April 8.

New to this year’s event, Vice President for University Advancement and Marketing Dr. Kathy Mullins is offering additional bonus funds toward challenges and matches from The Ferris Foundation. These additional funds will sponsor a match for the Indoor Athletics Complex cause, as well as several giving Power Hours to match donations.

All available challenges are available online at ferris.edu/oneday, the hub for the virtual giving day where donation links and additional information can also be found.

While the fundraising goal for the day is set at an ambitious $300,000, the Ferris State annual giving team behind the event is focused on increasing participation and reminding the Bulldog community that every dollar makes a difference.

“The more people who get involved in giving back, even if it’s just $10 or $20, can combine to make a tremendous difference for our students and programs,” Annual Giving Manager Jennifer Yontz-Barger said.

“We hear stories from our team captains all the time about how much more they can do for their students, how much more they can improve learning experiences, with just a few extra donations from One Day for Dawgs each year.”

The 24-hour One Day for Dawgs giving day event begins at midnight on April 8. Donors can find their causes to support by visiting ferris.edu/oneday to make a gift and explore the over 100 fundraising teams signed up for the event.