Supporting Student Affairs at UW–Madison
Student Affairs is excited to celebrate Day of the Badger on April 14–15! You may be seeing emails, social posts, and messages from across campus inviting you to join in the fun. If you’re wondering what this day is all about — and how you can support Student Affairs specifically —here is what you need to know.
When and what is Day of the Badger?
Day of the Badger runs from 10:12 a.m. on April 14 through 5 p.m. on April 15. That’s 1,848 minutes — a nod to 1848, the year UW–Madison was founded.
At its core, Day of the Badger is a university-wide day of giving. Alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends come together to celebrate the Wisconsin Experience and raise critical funds that support today’s students.
For Student Affairs, this means strengthening food security initiatives, mental health services, emergency support, inclusive spaces, recovery programs, recreation access, and student leadership development.
This year, many of these funds will include matching gifts or participation challenges so your support can unlock additional funding for students.
How can I maximize my impact?
On April 14–15, you can give to the Student Affairs fund that reflects the impact you want to make. Each featured fund will have a matching gift or participation challenge, meaning your donation can go even further.
You can support:
- Campus Food Access Fund
Supports initiatives across campus like the Open Seat Food Pantry and BadgerFARE.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $12,500 — and once the fund reaches 100 gifts, an additional $5,000 will be unlocked. - Collegiate Recovery Fund
Supports Badger Recovery and students seeking community and support.
Challenge opportunity: Once the fund reaches 25 gifts, an additional $2,500 will be unlocked. Every gift matters, no matter the size - Dean of Students Fund
Provides emergency grants and community support to keep students enrolled.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $5,000 — doubling your impact. - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Fund
Expands suicide prevention training and access to mental health care.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $10,000 — doubling your impact. - Recreation and Wellbeing Fund
Removes financial barriers to intramurals, fitness, and wellness programs.
Challenge opportunity: Once the fund reaches 25 gifts, an additional $3,000 will be unlocked. Every gift matters, no matter the size. - Student Health and Wellbeing Annual Fund
Addresses urgent and emerging student health needs.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $5,000 — doubling your impact. - Student Success and Belonging Annual Fund
Supports cultural centers, first-generation services, veteran services, and inclusive spaces.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $1,800 — doubling your impact. - Undergraduate Student Success Fund
Supports Wisconsin Union student leadership fellowships and hands-on programming experience.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $5,000 — doubling your impact. - Wisconsin Union Annual Fund
Fuels student-led programming, speakers, art, and community-building experiences.
Matching gift opportunity: Every dollar you give will be matched — up to $10,000 — and once the fund receives 100 gifts, an additional $5,000 will be unlocked.
Why does this matter?
When a student faces a financial emergency, needs mental health support or access to food, seeks community in recovery, finds belonging in a cultural center, or develops leadership skills through the Union, Student Affairs is there. Tuition dollars and operating revenue don’t cover it all. Donor funding allows us to be more responsive and nimble to evolving student needs.
These supports are essential to student success.
Day of the Badger is your opportunity to strengthen that foundation.
Beyond giving, how can I get involved?
There are many ways to participate.
Wear red on April 14–15 and show your Badger pride.
Share with your circles and social media networks why Student Affairs programs, resources, and experiences matter to you.
Encourage fellow Badgers to join in the fun.
Participate in on-campus challenges. The Disco Ball Display will return to Gordon Commons for both days of Day of the Badger. New this year, students can engage in two on-campus challenges at the display: a voting challenge and a cash grab experience. Encourage students you know to get involved and follow @uw_studentaffairs on Instagram for all the details.
On April 14–15, visit dayofthebadger.org and support the Student Affairs fund that resonates with you. Together, we can ensure every Badger has the resources, community, and support they need to flourish.