Name: NAU Giving Day 2026
Start: 2026-03-31T00:00:00-0700
End: 2026-05-31T23:59:00-0700
Location: NAU Giving Day 2026

$ 1,208,394 raised 1,006 Axe of Kindness

NAU Giving Day 2026

Last Chance to Elevate NAU!

As Giving Day reaches its finale, we're celebrating record-breaking generosity! Lumberjacks, your Axe of Kindness has shattered records! Thank you for your incredible support and for uniting to Elevate NAU.

Forgot to make your gift? There's still time to give and maximize your impact by completing the final donor-sponsored challenges. Let's finish strong together!

Why Your Gift Matters

NAU Giving Day is about more than raising funds—it’s about expanding access, empowering students, and strengthening the future of NAU. Your generosity directly supports Lumberjacks across Arizona, helping them succeed now and long into the future.

Your Gift Elevates Every Lumberjack

Academic Excellence – Supporting scholarships, research, and innovative learning experiences.
Career Readiness – Providing hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Student Emergency Support – Offering immediate assistance to students facing unexpected financial hardships.
Access to Education – Making higher education attainable for students from all backgrounds.
Student Experience – Enhancing peer connections, health and wellness resources, and statewide student support.

True Blue, 300 Strong: The Alumni Board Challenge Complete

But you can still make a gift!

$6,200

True Blue, 300 Strong: The Alumni Board Challenge

Thanks to the generous support of NAU Alumni Association Board Members and donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $6,200 for various areas on campus. Thank you again to the following Board members: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook, ‘91; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Stephanie Smith, ’04; Maggie Thom, ’12; and (3) anonymous members.

300 / 300 Donors

Completed

Unlock Opportunity: The Lumberjacks Thrive Challenge Complete

But you can still make a gift!

$115,000

Unlock Opportunity: The Lumberjacks Thrive Challenge

Thanks to the generous support of donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $115,000 for the Wilson Family Lumberjacks Thrive Program Fund. And thank you to Greg, ’82 and Nancy, ‘82 Wilson for providing this NAU Giving Day challenge.

25 / 25 Gifts

Completed

Last Chance!

Expand Knowledge: Fueling Research at NAU

$1,500

Expand Knowledge: Fueling Research at NAU

Discovery begins with curiosity, innovation, and the support to pursue bold ideas. This NAU Giving Day, Jason Wilder, Vice President for Research at NAU, invites you to help fuel the groundbreaking work happening across campus. Once 30 gifts are made to NAU Research, the Radiant Center for Remote Sensing, the Center for Community Health & Engaged Research (CHER), or the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI), Jason will unlock a generous $1,500 gift for the VP for Research Innovation Fund. Together, we can help advance discovery, strengthen research opportunities, and expand the knowledge that shapes our future.

10 / 30 Gifts

Design the Future: The Interior Design Challenge Complete

But you can still make a gift!

$25,000

Design the Future: The Interior Design Challenge

Thanks to the generous support of donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $25,000 for the Interior Design Program. And thank you to Tracey, ‘82 and Steve, ‘83 Pritulsky for providing this NAU Giving Day challenge.

10 / 10 Gifts

Completed

Last Chance!

From Learning to Earning: The Academic and Workforce Alliances Challenge

$1,755

From Learning to Earning: The Academic and Workforce Alliances Challenge

Vice Provost Yvonne Luna and AVPs Marjaneh Gilpatrick, Brenda Sipe, and Jersus Colmenares ’08 invite you to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and career success. Once 10 gifts are made to the NAU Workforce Development Fund, the NAU Statewide Impact Fund, or the 100% Career Ready Fund, their collective $1,755 gift will be unlocked to further support these areas. Your gift helps students build the skills, confidence, and experiences they need to transition from college to meaningful careers and lasting community impact. Make your gift today and help prepare Lumberjacks to thrive in the workforce.

6 / 10 Gifts

Last Chance!

Your Legacy, Their Future: The 1899 Society Challenge

Event

Your Legacy, Their Future: The 1899 Society Challenge

Some gifts make an immediate impact. Others shape generations. A planned gift—such as including NAU in your will or naming NAU as a beneficiary—ensures students, faculty, and programs thrive for years to come. This Giving Day, 1899 Society members Keith ’87 and Michelle Wenzel invite fellow Lumberjacks to join them in creating lasting impact. When 5 donors make a new planned gift commitment by May 1, their challenge will unlock a $50,000 gift for NAU. Make your planned gift commitment today and help shape the future for generations of Lumberjacks. UPDATE: We are currently at 4 donors who have made new planned gift commitments! Only 1 more to go to unlock this challenge!

Leaderboard

Lumberjack Class Spirit Leaderboard

Join your fellow Lumberjacks from every decade as they rally their classmates to support NAU! Check back to see which decade is leading the charge in philanthropy, celebrating the most generous alumni who are making a difference across the years.

Alumni, rally your classmates!

Rank	Answer	Gifts
1	1990s	61
2	2000s	51
3	2010s	47
4	1980s	44
5	1970s	33
6	2020s	33
7	1960s	5
8	1950s & Earlier	1

Last Chance!

First Gift, Lasting Legacy: The Foundation Board Challenge

$48,000

First Gift, Lasting Legacy: The Foundation Board Challenge

This NAU Giving Day help grow the future of philanthropy at NAU. Once 600 first-time donors make a gift on #NAUGivingDay, the NAU Foundation Board will unlock a collective $48,000 impact gift in support of NAU students, programs, and opportunities. Thank you to the following NAU Foundation Board members for making this challenge possible: George Adams, ‘74; Lisa Bagwell, ‘89; Eric Baker, ‘86; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun, ‘77; Booker Evans, Jr., ‘69; Bill Heibel, ‘70; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney, ‘82; Nick Lobejko; Tom Perkins, ‘80; Rick Rodriguez, ‘84; Steve Sanghi, 19 & Maria Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; Dennis Wilson, ‘79; and (1) anonymous member. Make your first gift—or inspire someone else to give—and help welcome 600 new donors into the Lumberjack community. WE Are Lumberjacks!

271 / 600 Donors

Lights, Camera, Impact: The School of Communication Challenge Complete

But you can still make a gift!

$250,000

Lights, Camera, Impact: The School of Communication Challenge

Thanks to the generous support of donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $250,000 for the Media Innovation Center Remodel Fund in the School of Communication. And thank you to the Wyant Foundation for providing this NAU Giving Day challenge.

50 / 50 Gifts

Completed

Lumberjack Pride in Action: The Alumni Collective Challenge Complete

But you can still make a gift!

$30,000

Lumberjack Pride in Action: The Alumni Collective Challenge

Thanks to the generous support of alumni donors – LIKE YOU – we’ve unlocked $30,000 for various areas on campus. Thank you again to the following alumni for providing this collective challenge: Georgia Bernheim, ‘74; Tim, ’84, and Tracee Dwyer, ‘84; Selina Gilbertson, ‘13; Jeff Sears, ‘98; Margaret Steiger, ‘14; Wayne Watson, ‘84; Keith Wenzel, ‘87; and (1) proud alumni from class of 2017.

450 / 450 Gifts

Completed

Last Chance!

From Idea to Impact: The Venture Studio Challenge

$25,000

From Idea to Impact: The Venture Studio Challenge

At NAU Venture Studio, students don’t just study entrepreneurship—they build it. Through immersive experiences like the Lean Startup Semester Series and the new NAU Sandbox, students work in interdisciplinary teams to test ideas, build ventures, and develop the real-world skills that set them apart after graduation. NAU alumnus and Foundation Board member Bill Heibel, ’70, is helping fuel that momentum with a $25,000 challenge gift, which will be unlocked once 15 gifts are made to the Venture Studio Fund. Your support provides the mentorship, tools, prototyping resources, and student fellowships that turn bold ideas into real ventures. Thank you to Bill for providing this NAU Giving Day challenge. Make your gift today and help launch the next generation of innovators, founders, and problem-solvers at NAU.

11 / 15 Gifts

Last Chance!

Welcome the Future: The School of HRM Leadership Challenge

$36,000

Welcome the Future: The School of HRM Leadership Challenge

Exceptional hospitality begins with leaders who know how to create memorable experiences, solve problems, and serve with excellence. A gift to the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) prepares students to thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic industries. Once 20 gifts are made to any HRM fund, the Hospitality Leadership Council will unlock a collective $36,000 gift, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning, industry connections, and the real-world experiences that prepare students for leadership in hospitality. Make your gift today and help welcome the next generation of hospitality leaders.

7 / 20 Gifts

Leaderboard

Areas of Impact

This leaderboard reflects the transformative impact of your generosity, elevating essential initiatives across NAU. Your contributions directly support groundbreaking research, student scholarships, and innovative programs that shape the future of our university.

Rank	Department	Raised
1	College of Education	$22,471.00
2	Elevate Swim & Dive	$19,046.00
3	Elevate the College of Health & Human Services	$13,010.00
4	Student Affairs	$10,425.00
5	Elevate Cline Library	$9,800.00
6	College of Social and Behavioral Sciences	$8,852.00
7	Elevate Men's Tennis	$7,840.00
8	Elevate Women's Golf	$7,820.00
9	The W. A. Franke College of Business	$7,550.00
10	Elevate Women's Tennis	$7,205.00
11	Elevate Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing	$7,150.00
12	Elevate Mathematics & Statistics	$6,690.00
13	Elevate the Honors College	$6,525.00
14	Elevate the Early Learning & Development Center	$6,445.00
15	Elevate School of Communication	$6,306.00

Leaderboard

Lumberjack Community Engagement Leaderboard

This leaderboard celebrates the invaluable support from our broader community, showcasing the number of donors based on their relationship to NAU. Together, we elevate engagement and build a stronger future for NAU, uniting donors, partners, and friends to advance educational opportunities and community impact.

Help us unlock matching challenges and increase the impact of your gift! What is your connection to NAU?