The University of North Texas is amping up for its fourth annual UNT Day of Giving on April 27-28, 2026 — and this year, there’s more than $1 million in challenge gifts to be unlocked. 

UNT Day of Giving was established in 2023 and has become a key moment each year for the Mean Green community to come together in generosity and support programs and initiatives across campus. In just three years, UNT alumni, faculty, staff and friends have joined together to raise more than $3.6 million — fueling programs and research while taking UNT students from unseen to unstoppable! 

“UNT Day of Giving is ultimately about belief — belief in students, in possibility and in what can happen when a community acts together,” says DaQuan Allen, assistant director of digital philanthropy at UNT. “It’s an incredible 24 hours that brings the community together and reminds everyone how much we can accomplish together.” 

UNT Day of Giving challenge gifts are hallmark donations made by donors or organizations that encourage broader participation from the UNT community, such as a certain number of donors in a limited timeframe or a certain number of donors needed to unlock the major gift.  

This UNT Day of Giving, donors have the chance to support some incredible challenges, including the John and Bonnie Strauss Challenge in support of the UNT College of Music — 100 donors to the college will unlock $100,000 from the Strauss’. Other challenge gifts support colleges, units and students from every corner of campus. 

These challenges inspire gifts of any size that work to amplify overall impact — every gift truly matters.  

“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 devoted UNT Day of Giving Ambassador and College of Public Affairs and Health Science donor and adjunct professor. “It really makes for a fun and rewarding campaign.” 

In 2025, more than 70% of all gifts made during UNT Day of Giving were inspired by challenge opportunities, reflecting the strength of the UNT community’s collective impact. 

Also at play are “power hours” — which are designated times when donations have the most impact. Donors will be able to track these on the UNT Day of Giving website homepage.  

UNT Day of Giving is a movement of generosity powered by pride, purpose and people who believe in the future we’re building together. As we move toward the 2026 Day of Giving on April 27-28, look for opportunities to get involved and help create more opportunities for UNT students to unlock their ambition, thrive in their programs and step into what’s next with confidence. 

Visit givingday.unt.edu for more information.