10/21/2026 9:00:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Squash, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Rowing, Women's Soccer, Women's Squash, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Men's Wrestling, Cross Country, Fencing, Lacrosse, Heavyweight Rowing, Lightweight Rowing, Softball, Track and Field, Women's Wrestling
The 24-hour, university-wide online fundraising initiative helps varsity programs reach fundraising goals
NEW YORK - Columbia Giving Day returns on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. This 24-hour, university-wide online fundraising initiative incorporates all University schools and programs. This day is a staple of the Columbia Athletics fundraising calendar. Each year, the Columbia Athletics community comes together on Giving Day to support our coaches and student-athletes and help many of our varsity sport programs meet their annual goals.
Department Goals
As a department, our sport programs are making a concerted effort to elevate the number of donors making 4-figure gifts. The last two Giving Days have broken records, and now we are asking the community to continue the trend by increasing donors' gift amounts.
University Bonuses
Columbia Athletics can unlock bonus dollars through university-wide challenges on Columbia Giving Day. This year's challenges include: Most Gifts Hourly Challenge, Faculty/Staff Hourly Challenge, New Donor Challenge, and more.
Follow along online:
The event begins at midnight ET on Wednesday, October 28 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Giving Day 2026 Competitions
Athletics will be competing against other schools and units within the University for a share of over $300,000 in Giving Day challenge funds, which can be accomplished by winning the hourly challenges.
If you have questions regarding making a gift outside of the online portal for Giving Day, please reach out to Erich Ely. Stay tuned to the Columbia Athletics Giving Day page for updates on the day of.
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