Skip to main content

2026 Giving Day Challenges

Boost the impact of your gift by participating in various challenges throughout the day! All campus units are encouraged to get in on the fun to support their favorite department, unit, program or fund. Please note that challenges are for online gifts only, and all times are EST. 

*For more information on qualifying for challenges, visit our key terms and definitions page.

 

Time Period Challenge Challenge Description Total Award

12 a.m.

Kickoff 

The Kickoff

 

The first 5 funds to receive an online gift will win $1,000 each.

 

$5,000

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunchtime Crunchtime

Lunchtime Crunchtime

 

The top 5 designations with the most unique donors between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will each win an additional $1,000.

 

$5,000

 

11:59 p.m.

Final Countdown 

Final Countdown Challenge

 

The last 5 funds to receive an online gift will win $1,000 each.

 

$5,000

 

 

ALL DAY CHALLENGES:

Challenge Challenge Description Total Award

WMU Experience

WMU Experience

 

Join the WMU Experience Challenge happening on Instagram and Facebook. We will randomly select a commenter to win $1,500 to award to their favorite college or unit.

$1,500

5k for 50

USA

 

Let’s see Bronco Pride coast to coast! Receiving gifts from Broncos living in all 50 states will unlock bonus funds for the WMU Student Scholarship Fund. Make the map solid gold on Giving Day!

$5,000

Golden Bronco

Big Winner Challenge
The area that has their 5-year highest total of unique donors will get their name on the Golden Bronco trophy and receive $10,000 in additional funds!

$10,000

Golden Bronco Runner Ups

Big Winner Challenge
The next three areas who saw their 5-year highest total unique donors will receive a bonus gift! After the Golden Bronco winner, the first runner up will receive $4,000, second runner up will receive $3,000 and the third runner up will receive $1,000.

$8,000

1903 Challenge

1903 Challenge Icon

The 1,903rd donor will get $1,903 added to the fund associated with their gift.

$1,903

2021 EmPOWERed Challenge

2021 EmPOWER

 

The 2021 donor and Champion will EmPOWER the college or unit associated with their gift by unlocking $2,021! 

$2,021

3603 Challenge

P2p Challenge Icon

The 3603 donor to Giving Day 2026 will release $3,000 to the college or unit associated with this gift. This marks the largest number of donors on this day in WMU's history.    

$3,000

5000 Challenge

5000 Challenge Icon
The 5,000th donor of the day wins $5,000 for the fund associated with their gift.

$5,000

Bronco Fundraisers

Top 5 Icon

 

The top five champions  with the most unique donors on the Giving Day platform will win a bonus award of $1,000 for the area of their choice.  

$5,000

 

 

 

Dan's Challenge

Dan's Challenge

 

AD Bartholomae will donate $1,000 each to the men’s and women’s program with the most donors on Giving Day.

$2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Center Challenges:

Time Period Challenge Challenge Description Total Award

11 a.m.

 

Pep Rally Pop Up

Pep Rally Pop Up

 

Fight on, Broncos! If we make it to 300 donations by 11 a.m. the pep band will play with all their might in the heart of the student center.  

Band performance

12 p.m.

Hockey Trophy Photo Op

Hockey Trophy Photo Op

 

Let’s ride and shine! When we get to 400 donations, those world-famous hockey trophies will appear for a photo-shoot opportunity! Take a selfie with a piece of WMU history! 

Trophy Time

12:30 p.m.

Faculty and Staff Sing Fight Song

Faculty and Staff Sing Fight Song
450 donations by 12:30 unlocks our faculty and staff coming together to sing the fight song on campus! Tune in for harmony (fingers crossed) and a whole lotta heart!  

 

 

1 p.m.

The Scoop on Philanthropy

The Scoop on Philanthropy

We all scream for ice cream! 700 donations by 1 p.m. will unlock a sweet treat in the heart of the student center. 

 

 

2 p.m.

Cheers for the Cheer Team

Cheers for the Cheer Team

Let’s go, Broncos! 800 donations and our cheer team will bring it in the heart of the student center. Rally your herd and make some noise!  

 

3 p.m.

Blast off, Broncos!

Blast off, Broncos icon
When we reach 850 donations by 3 p.m., the AIAA Pegasus Chapter at Western will showcase their Pegasus VII rocket in the student center. Prepare for liftoff and let's soar to new heights on Giving Day!    

 

4 p.m.

Just Dance

Just Dance

Dance like everybody’s watching! 900 donations and our talented WMU dance team will bust a move with a special performance.   

 

5 p.m.

Step Show

Step Show
Step up and shine with Bronco pride! 1,000 donations by 5 p.m. and WMU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council/United Creek Council will light up the student center with a spirited step show.  

 

6 p.m.

A Slice of Giving Day Magic!

A Slice of Giving Day Magic!

 

Bring on the dough! 2,000 donations by 6 p.m. and pizzas will be delivered to the heart of the student center. No matter how you slice it, this challenge is magical.

 


 Wondering How to Give on WMU Giving Day?

You can make a difference with your gift.

Make a Gift

 

University Advancement | Western Michigan University | 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403

University Advancement | Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403

(269) 387-8700 | help@wmualumni.org