Giving Day 2026 Empowers Every Seawolf With Record-Breaking Number of Donors 

The eighth annual Giving Day at the State University of New York at Stony Brook served as a proud reminder that together, Seawolves can achieve anything. More than 4,000 alumni, faculty, staff, students, family members and friends were inspired to show their support for 24 Hours To Empower Every Seawolf during the universitywide initiative that crescendoed on March 25. This show of support was the largest ever in the program’s history, surpassing last year’s donor participation and demonstrating the growing momentum and collective commitment of the Seawolf community.

More than $770,840 in total impact was contributed for over 150 programs and funds benefiting student experiences, academics, research, healthcare and more across Stony Brook’s campuses. With so many options to create a difference, supporters chose to make contributions directly to the area they wished to impact most, allowing them to give in meaningful and purposeful ways.

“Giving Day is a powerful example of the spirit that defines our Seawolf community,” said Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith. “Seeing the largest number ever of our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends unite to support Stony Brook is both inspiring and deeply meaningful. I am grateful for our incredible donors whose support is so essential to accelerating our excellence and impact across education, research, healthcare and service to our community, the great state of New York, the country and the world.” 

This year, Seawolves also broke Giving Day records through the Giving Day Advocacy Program. More than 120 Giving Day Advocates raised over $63,000 through 825 gifts by sharing their personal connections to Stony Brook and inspiring support among their own networks.

As gifts were made throughout the day, 70 matches and challenges totaling over $196,800 amplified donors’ gifts, multiplying their impact on campus programs. With several challenges dedicated to awarding bonus funds to the areas that received the most unique donors, supporters made their gifts to help elevate different projects to the top of the leaderboards. The Long Island State Veterans Home proudly took first place in the Early Giving Challenge, the Giving Day Donor Derby and the first Empower Hour Challenge — earning $8,500 total in challenge prize funds.

Many areas and projects across the university saw a strong outpouring of support. The School of Health Professions received $25,375 from 787 donors — the highest number among any Stony Brook school or college. Supporters also helped several areas meet and exceed challenge goals to unlock additional funding, including Stony Brook Men’s Lacrosse and Stony Brook Football, which each unlocked $25,000, and the Women’s Leadership Council, which unlocked $2,500. Donors to the Department of Medicine Research and Education Fund unlocked an additional $10,000 through a combination of a dollar-for-dollar match up to $5,000 and a challenge to unlock $5,000.

“Giving Day is always an exciting time, as it shows the extraordinary impact each person can make in a single day and, collectively, how these gifts build momentum to empower Seawolves,” said Scott Barrett, interim vice president for Advancement. “Every gift makes a difference and helps open doors for our students, faculty and communities we serve — shaping the future of Stony Brook.”

On campus, students also took part in celebrations at the Shore Club in the Student Activities Center and Health Sciences Center. After making their gifts, they enjoyed music, food and even a visit from Wolfie. Graduating seniors who donated $10.26 or more also received their Generosity Cord for commencement. With each gift, students were entered into a drawing for the Student Giving Challenge, with one winner from each event location helping to decide which projects would be awarded additional challenge funds. The two winners chose to support the Paul L. Siegel Endowed Scholarship for Women in STEM and the Stony Brook Nurses’ Association, which will receive $500 each.

The reach of this year’s Giving Day extended far beyond campus, with supporters representing 43 states and 13 countries coming together to empower every Seawolf.

While Giving Day may last just 24 hours, the impact of this generosity will be felt throughout the year — in classrooms, laboratories, athletics competitions, student programs and patient care spaces. Together, the Seawolf community once again demonstrated the power of uniting to support what matters most.

–Kristina Brandt