What A Difference A Day of the Badger Makes
The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently celebrated the resounding success of its annual fundraising campaign, Day of the Badger. This year’s campaign, which took place on March 28-29, raised nearly $1.7 million from 6,402 donations in just 1848 minutes. (Why 1848 minutes? Because that’s the year UW-Madison was established!)
One of the primary beneficiaries of this year’s Day of the Badger campaign was the Wisconsin Union Annual Fund, which received $11,925 in contributions. Throughout the year, the Union is a hub for community, entertainment and leadership. There’s always something to do at the Union, whether it’s participating in free arts and crafts at Wheelhouse Studios, watching bands on the Terrace Stage, enjoying family-friendly movie nights, bowling and wall climbing, attending the Wisconsin Union Theater Concert and Jazz Series, exploring with Outdoor UW’s recreation activities…the possibilities are endless. The Union can only offer such a wide variety of programming through the support of its generous donors, and the nearly $12,000 raised this year during Day of the Badger makes these enriching, entertaining and educational events possible.
Another fund that received a significant boost from this year’s Day of the Badger campaign was the André De Shields Performing Arts Fund. Named in honor of UW-Madison alumnus and Tony Award-winning actor André De Shields, this fund supports the Wisconsin Union Theater’s performing arts program. It helps historically underrepresented students create and produce new works. Thanks to the generosity of Day of the Badger donors, the André De Shields Performing Arts Fund received over $11,000 in contributions, which will help ensure that students have opportunities that André was denied due to systemic racism.
The Student Leadership Endowment Fund was also a significant beneficiary of this year’s Day of the Badger campaign. This fund supports student leadership opportunities at UW-Madison through the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD), the dreamers and doers behind Wisconsin Union programming. The 11 committees and six outdoor clubs that make up WUD provide students with hands-on experiences to develop the skills they need to become influential leaders in their communities and careers. By the end of March 29, the Student Leadership Endowment Fund received over $9,000 in contributions, which will help ensure that the Wisconsin Union continues to produce thoughtful, innovative leaders who make a positive impact on the world.
Finally, it’s worth noting the vital role played by the Wisconsin Union Association in making this year’s Day of the Badger campaign a success. The WUA is a nonprofit organization that supports the Wisconsin Union by providing funding, advocacy and other resources. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the WUA volunteers, as well as the generosity of Day of the Badger donors, this year’s campaign was able to exceed its goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Wisconsin Union members and UW-Madison students, faculty and staff.
To all those who donated to the Wisconsin Union Annual Fund, the André De Shields Performing Arts Fund, the Student Leadership Endowment Fund and other worthy causes during this year’s Day of the Badger campaign, we extend our heartfelt thanks. Your generosity and support will make a tangible difference in our students’ lives and our university’s future. And to those donors who helped meet the respective matches for each of these funds, we offer our deepest appreciation for your leadership and commitment to making UW-Madison a better place for all. Together, we can continue to achieve great things and create a brighter future for our entire community.
