Featured | Giving | Intrepid AmbitionApril 29, 2026

UAFS Day of Giving Passes Goal of $55,000

Written By: Ian Silvester

The sixth-annual Day of Giving campaign has officially come to an end at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, with $55,764, surpassing the fundraising goal.

The 1,928-minute fundraising event, a nod to the year UAFS was founded, kicked off at 8 a.m. on April 28 and ended at 4:08 p.m. on April 29. The two-day campaign supported 26 projects through more than 400 individual donors and project advocates, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, the community, family, and friends from across 24 states.

“Support isn’t just about money,” said Charisse Tunacao, director of annual giving. “It shows up in people’s time and attention. Every share, every like, and every conversation about Day of Giving helps show that we’re a community that truly supports our students and believes in what they’re doing here.”

Donors contributed to a range of projects, from scholarships, research opportunities, student experiences, and critical support services. Six projects surpassed their goals: AIGA Student Group for Design, Black Student Alliance, Boreham Library, Cub Camp, ROTC, and Cheer.  Ten others raised more than a $1,000 each to support their goals, including the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, Applause Literary Magazine, Employee Emergency Assistance Program, First-Generation Student Success, Lion Pride Regalia Closes, Play it Forward, Read This!, UAFS Dance Team, Undergraduate Research, and the Writing Center.

Tunacao said even the smallest amount of support goes a long way to helping students feel seen and championed in what they’re working toward.

“That support opens doors and gives students a push to keep going because they know they’re not doing it alone,” Tunacao said. “These gifts help students get experiences and opportunities that prepare them for what’s next, which ultimately strengthens our community. At the end of the day, Day of Giving is people coming together to invest in students and the future of UAFS.”

There were nearly 30 matching-gift contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals to increase donor impact. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. pledged $1,000 in matching funds, and more than a dozen UAFS leaders offered personal matching gifts. The UAFS ROTC received a $1,000 anonymous gift match, and three other projects each received $500 in matching gifts.

This is the second Day of Giving campaign following the university’s announcement of its Intrepid Ambition campaign—a strategic initiative to transform the UAFS campus by 2028.

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

On campus, students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to help paint a community mural during the Day of Giving campaign, with new colors unlocked as different fundraising tiers were met. Numa’s Birthday Party served as a festive end to Day of Giving. The “biggest party of the semester” featured blow-up inflatables, ice cream, and a dirty soda bar to go along with booths and activities hosted by the participating projects. Numa’s Birthday was organized by the Campus Activities Board.

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