April 9, 2026
Ferris State’s One Day for Dawgs giving day shatters previous record with $500,000 raised to support students
Ferris State University shattered its fundraising record for the annual One Day for Dawgs giving day, raising more than $500,000 to support students and programs across the university.
The 2026 event soared far above the $300,000 goal with contributions from more than 1,730 donors with pledges ranging from $5 to $100,000.
“Bulldog nation stands behind our students and university,” said Brandi Behrenwald, Ferris State’s executive director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “We are so grateful for this outpouring of generosity, in terms of the amount of money raised but also the number of donors. So many people and programs will benefit, removing obstacles to success and enhancing opportunities to build skills and leadership.”
Behrenwald said that Ferris State’s mission of providing a quality, transformative education to all resonates with many donors who want to have a positive impact on students and change lives.
Ferris State recently earned the prestigious “Opportunity University” designation by the Carnegie Classifications, recognizing the university is accessible to the people it serves, and that Bulldogs earn more as they start their careers compared to people graduating from peer institutions.
The 2026 event soared far above the $300,000 goal with contributions from more than 1,730 donors with pledges ranging from $5 to $100,000, totaling over $500,000 raised.
This year’s One Day for Dawgs event also featured a significant slate of matching and challenge gifts sponsored by corporate partners, alumni champions, and community leaders. Nearly $490,000 was raised during Wednesday’s event and additional gifts are being counted as checks arrive in the mail. Leaders are confident the final number will surpass $500,000.
Donors supported more than 100 total fundraising causes ranging from endowed student scholarships, academic programs, athletic teams, and others, all focused on supporting the Bulldog student experience.
The Ferris Foundation will announce challenge gift winners, allocate matching funds, and tally gift totals over the coming week before announcing the official final figure online at ferris.edu/oneday and on the Ferris State University social media pages.