Alumni | Intrepid AmbitionMay 01, 2025

Day of Giving Raises $102,605 for Student Experiences, Scholarships, Support

Written By: Rachel Putman

University of Arkansas – Fort Smith raised $102,605 during its fifth-annual Day of Giving campaign, advancing the university’s Intrepid Ambition campaign—a strategic initiative to transform the UAFS campus by 2028.

The 1,928-minute fundraising event, which honors the year UAFS was founded, began at 8 a.m., April 29 and ended at 4:08 p.m., April 30. During that time, a record-breaking 23 projects received support from 495 donors, and nearly 300 advocates campaigned for projects close to their hearts.

“This year’s Day of Giving showed how powerful our community can be when we come together for a common purpose,” said Jasmine Smith, director of alumni engagement. “We saw alumni, students, faculty, and friends rally behind our campus in ways that were so inspiring.”

Donors contributed to projects across scholarships, student experiences, and essential support services. Five projects surpassed their fundraising goals: the Boreham Library, Alumni Legacy Scholarship Endowment, Employee Emergency Fund, General Scholarship Fund, and Student Emergency Assistance Program. Eighteen others raised upwards of $800 each to support their goals, including Finish and, Study Abroad scholarships, the Little Lions Child Development Center, First-Generation Student Success initiative, Writing Center, Baseball, Black Student Alliance, Cheer, Cub Camp, Media Communication International Summer Experience, IDEAL Women, Music Department, Lions Dance Team, Read This, Army ROTC, Student Nurses Association, Student Leadership Programs and Applause Literary Journal.

“I know first-hand what it means for our students to have this support,” Smith, a 2014 graduate of UAFS, said. “Because of the incredible ways we serve our students, this campus I was able to join so many organizations, become a leader, and build my resume – all while I was still a student.”

Corporate partners joined the Day of Giving effort with matching contributions to increase donor impact. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Chambers Bank each pledged $1,000 in matching funds, and more than a dozen UAFS leaders offered personal matching gifts throughout the campaign.

Contributions were accepted online, in person, and by mail, with gifts ranging from small student donations to major support from alumni and organizations.

On campus, Numa’s Birthday Party served as a festive on-campus activation, held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 29 at the UAFS Recreation and Wellness Center. Each of the 23 participating projects hosted booths and activities. The event was organized in partnership with the Campus Activities Board and the Office of Campus and Community Engagement.

• Tags:
• Alumni
• Annual Giving
• Intrepid Ambition
• Day of Giving