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NAU Giving Day 2026
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16
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20
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SEC
Events
Together, We Elevate NAU
When Lumberjacks come together, incredible things happen. Giving Day challenges and matches are powered by generous donors who want to inspire participation and multiply impact across NAU.
From head-to-head college competitions to limited-time matching gifts, this year’s Giving Day challenges are designed to maximize impact and spark some friendly Lumberjack rivalry.
Find a challenge below and join the effort—your gift helps unlock even more support for the Lumberjack community.

Active Events
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True Blue, 300 Strong: The Alumni Board Challenge
True Blue, 300 Strong: The Alumni Board Challenge
Help us build momentum on Giving Day and show the strength of the Lumberjack alumni community! Once 300 alumni donors make a gift on #NAUGivingDay, the NAU Alumni Association Board will unlock a collective $6,200 challenge gift in support of NAU students and programs. Thank you to the following Alumni Association Board members for making this challenge possible: 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. Make your alumni gift today, help reach the milestone, and show that Lumberjacks are always True Blue. WE Are Lumberjacks!
167 / 300 Donors
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Lumberjack Pride in Action: The Alumni Collective Challenge
Lumberjack Pride in Action: The Alumni Collective Challenge
This NAU Giving Day, a group of nine dedicated alumni is coming together to inspire fellow Lumberjacks to give back. Once we reach 450 alumni gifts on #NAUGivingDay, their collective $30,000 challenge gift will be unlocked to advance learning, leadership, and campus excellence. This challenge is a powerful reminder of what happens when Lumberjacks come together to invest in the next generation. Thank you to the following alumni for making this challenge possible: 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. Make your alumni gift today and help unlock this incredible show of alumni pride and impact. Go Jacks!
175 / 450 Gifts
Local Leaders Challenge - Coconino County vs. TEAM FLAGSTAFF
The Coconino County vs. Team Flagstaff Leaderboard tracks participation from each organization throughout Giving Day. Every gift made by employees counts toward your organization’s total—helping elevate its impact and position on the leaderboard.
| Rank | Answer | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Flagstaff | 50 |
| 2 | Coconino County | 20 |
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.
| Rank | Answer | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1970s | 1 |
| 2 | 1980s | 1 |
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First Gift, Lasting Legacy: The Foundation Board Challenge
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!
146 / 600 Donors
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Mother Road Giving Day Celebration
Mother Road Giving Day Celebration
Celebrate the power of philanthropy with your fellow Lumberjacks!
Location: Mother Road Brewing Company
Event Info: Join us for a special Giving Day celebration during Flagstaff’s First Friday Art Walk. Enjoy student performances, art showcases, interactive activities, and a pop-up shop from the NAU Bookstore.
Gather at Mother Road Brewery to raise a glass—grab a local brew, enjoy pizza from Pizzicletta, and celebrate the impact of Giving Day together.
Attire: Wear your True Blue and Gold.
Parking: Paid street parking nearby.
Registration: Open to all—register and your first drink is on us!
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-nau-giving-day-2026-flagstaff-tickets-1962903655674?aff=oddtdtcreator
Student Giving Challenge: A Friendly Competition with Big Rewards!
This Giving Day, alumnus Scott Kirkessner, ‘05 is elevating student engagement at NAU! Your gift to a participating student group not only supports student clubs but also empowers them to elevate their impact. Scott has pledged $1,500 in prize money for the top 3 student clubs that rally the most unique donors to their pages. $750 - 1st place; $500 - 2nd place; $250 - 3rd place. Your support can make a difference in empowering our Lumberjack community to thrive! Check the Student Giving Leaderboard for current rankings.
| Rank | Prize | Student Giving Challenge: A Friendly Competition | Donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $750 | Headphone Jacks at NAU | 36 |
| 2 | $500 | The Highlanders | 7 |
| 3 | $250 | The Axe Organization | 7 |
| 4 | Men's Club Soccer | 5 | |
| 5 | Club Tennis at NAU | 4 | |
| 6 | PT Kids Night Out Event | 4 | |
| 7 | Cello Studio in Italy | 3 | |
| 8 | Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers | 2 | |
| 9 | Squash and Stretch Society | 1 | |
| 10 | American Indian Science and Engineering Society | 1 | |
| 11 | Filipino American Student Association (FASA) | 1 | |
| 12 | The Lumberjack | 1 | |
| 13 | Club Swimming at NAU | 1 | |
| 14 | Grupo Folklorico Estrellas del Pinar | 1 | |
| 15 | Badminton Club at NAU | 1 |
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 | Elevate Swim & Dive | $13,925.00 |
| 2 | Elevate the College of Health & Human Services | $9,870.00 |
| 3 | Elevate Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing | $5,740.00 |
| 4 | Elevate Human Resources | $5,250.00 |
| 5 | Elevate School of Forestry | $4,126.00 |
| 6 | Elevate Martin Springer Institute | $3,335.00 |
| 7 | Elevate the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic | $3,150.00 |
| 8 | Elevate Women's Golf | $2,370.00 |
| 9 | Elevate Men's Tennis | $2,240.00 |
| 10 | Elevate Cline Library | $2,025.00 |
| 11 | Elevate Women's Tennis | $1,680.00 |
| 12 | The Highlanders | $1,625.00 |
| 13 | Elevate School of Communication | $1,540.00 |
| 14 | College of Education | $1,500.00 |
| 15 | The Axe Organization | $1,375.00 |
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.
| Rank | Answer | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alumni | 175 |
| 2 | Staff or Faculty | 99 |
| 3 | Friend | 92 |
| 4 | Parent | 53 |
| 5 | Student | 51 |
Help us unlock a $48,000 reward!