The Mean Green spirit of philanthropy was thriving on the third annual UNT Day of Giving, which raised just over $2 million — up a remarkable 162% from last year — from 1,859 donors. The total dollars raised this year showcases an incredible amount of support from UNT alumni, faculty and staff and friends from across the globe.

The 2025 UNT Day of Giving campaign also exceeded the number of challenges from past years and more than 70% of all gifts were inspired by challenge opportunities, reflecting the strength of the UNT community’s collective impact.

“Challenges help to build excitement and when people see someone give their own money, they are more likely to give,” says Michael Penaluna (’88, ’23 M.S.), a UNT Day of Giving Ambassador and College of Health and Public Service adjunct professor. “It really makes for a fun and rewarding campaign.”

Penaluna and his wife, Carolyn, have been actively engaged in UNT Day of Giving since the beginning, and this year set up the Emergency Management and Disaster Science Challenge, which encouraged 10 donors to make gifts to the program to unlock $1,000 additional dollars from the Penalunas.

“People would see my post on social media that we are only three gifts away from unlocking a challenge gift and messages would start appearing from alumni, friends and family that they contributed to help make that possible,” Penaluna says. “It is awe inspiring.”

Among the 1,859 donors who made gifts during the 2025 UNT Day of Giving were 767 first time donors. Looking at all donors, 677 friends of the university made gifts, 663 were from UNT alumni, 460 UNT faculty and staff gave as well as 145 students.

“It’s incredibly energizing to see the UNT community rally together for our third Day of Giving,” says Brandon Buzbee, vice president for University Advancement. “Every gift reflects a belief in our mission and creates opportunities that ripple across our region, our state and the nation. I’m proud of the momentum we’re building and excited to keep finding new ways to connect and engage our community.”

Like many donors, Penaluna says the urge to give back is rooted in his time at UNT and the time others invested in him while he was a student.

“I give because someone helped me with my university expenses. I also made a promise to one of my professors way back in 1988 that once established in my career, I would give back to the CHPS/EMDS department via scholarships. That professor had a profound impact on my life and career,” Penaluna says. “I want to continue to give back to UNT and Day of Giving is an excellent opportunity to do so.”

UNT’s Day of Giving is a movement powered by pride, purpose and people who believe in the future we’re building together. As we look ahead to the 2026 Day of Giving, stay connected for opportunities to get involved and help create real change for UNT students and the communities they’ll go on to serve.