UM-Flint community rallies around students during Giving Blueday 2026

When the University of Michigan-Flint received more than 180 gifts by noon on Giving Blueday, March 18, Chancellor Laurence Alexander was ready. The university's top administrator faced four rounds of increasingly spicy chicken wings during the Giving Blueday Hot Ones Challenge, which was streamed live on Instagram and drew a sizeable campus crowd. Alexander faced the punishing sauces in recognition of donor engagement and to encourage further generosity in the name of student success.

The Chancellor's Hot Ones Challenge wasn't only the act of dedication on display during Giving Blueday, the University of Michigan's annual day of giving. Despite temperatures hovering near 30 degrees and relentless winds, students, faculty and staff braved the conditions to participate in a dunk tank, keeping the energy of the event alive in a way that only the UM-Flint community could have. 

Giving Blueday continued to play an important role in building and deepening donor relationships with the university. Year-to-date, total gift amounts are up 5.6%, while individual giving has increased 12.6% compared to the same period last year. Among the most meaningful markers of Giving Blueday's impact was the generation of 52 new donors — reinforcing the event's role as a gateway for first-time givers to connect with the UM-Flint community. 

"Student participation remained a consistent strength of this year's Giving Blueday, with every participating student organization receiving gifts — an improvement from last year and a reflection of broad campus engagement," said Toni Salmi, annual giving officer. "Organizations that were actively involved in Giving Blueday activities, such as volunteering at events and engaging donors on the day of, tended to see stronger results. This highlights the important role of student participation in driving visibility and support."

Through interactive activities such as Giving Blueday Bingo and the Selfie Challenge, 24 students raised an additional $731 in support of six student organizations. Weycker's efforts on behalf of the women's soccer team led to a 120% increase in giving as compared to the previous year. 

"Seeing an increase in donations from years past is honestly incredible and shows how much our community is continuing to rally behind us," Weycker said. "Every gift directly impacts our ability to grow. The funds will go toward things like our spring tournament, our kids' summer camp, uniform upkeep, and practice equipment. It all adds up to creating a better experience for our current players while also helping us build something sustainable for future members of the team."

Student Government saw similar gains in giving activity – 119% higher this year than in 2025. Samantha Jarbou, Student Government president, supported Giving Blueday through promotional efforts, outreach communications, and participation in on-campus activities, including the dunk tank.

"This year, Student Government really wanted to shift the focus away from just fundraising. Instead, we emphasized what Giving Blue Day truly represents, investing in the future leaders of our campus and contributing to the lasting legacy of UM-Flint," said Jarbou. 

According to Salmi, "The involvement of student leaders like Abigail and Samantha helped reinforce that Giving Blueday is not just about fundraising, but also about supporting and celebrating the student experience."

The day also brought notable growth in several key campus funds. The School of Management Excellence Fund nearly doubled its donor participation, growing from 10 donors last year to 19. Staff Council gifts saw even more dramatic expansion, jumping from four donors to 25.

Returning to Giving Blueday this year was the Student Emergency Fund, which had not been included in the previous year's campaign. The fund received 25 gifts totaling $1,645, reflecting continued donor interest in providing a safety net for students facing urgent financial hardship.

"Giving Blueday reminds us every year why we do this work. It brings the UM-Flint community together in celebration of the amazing things this university makes possible," Salmi said. "What excites us most isn't any single number — it's the growing sense that people want to be part of this community, and that they're finding more ways to show it throughout the year. As we continue to evolve Giving Blueday, our goal is to make that feeling even more accessible, to create more opportunities for people to connect, celebrate and invest in something bigger than themselves."

The university always welcomes gifts supporting the next generation of Leaders & Best. Those interested in learning more about giving can contact University Advancement at 810-424-5448 or visit the UM-Flint Development webpage.