Giving Day Resources

What is Giving Day?

Giving Day is a 24-hour fundraising event that brings together alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends to raise awareness and support for Virginia Tech students and global communities. 

When is Giving Day?

In 2026, Giving Day will run from noon on Feb. 18 to noon on Feb. 19.

What is a Giving Day ambassador?

A Giving Day ambassador is anyone who signs up to promote Giving Day. Ambassadors share their Hokie spirit and encourage others to give through personal networks, social media, and email.   

What do ambassadors do?

Ambassadors use their unique Giving Day links to raise funds and spread awareness for Virginia Tech. Chapters are encouraged to recruit as many ambassadors as possible – more ambassadors means greater visibility, stronger engagement, and higher chances to unlock bonus gifts through challenges and leaderboards. 

How do I become a Giving Day ambassador?

Beginning in January, you can sign up to become a Giving Day ambassador. As an alumni chapter Giving Day ambassador, you’ll receive:

• Training and resources from the Regional Engagement Team for alumni chapter specific efforts.
• A digital media kit with templates for social media, email, and more.
• Access to support and promotional tools if your chapter is hosting an event.

If your chapter plans to host a Giving Day event, be sure to complete the opt-in form to receive communication and marketing support. 

Alumni chapter leaderboards and challenges

• Giving Day features friendly competition through leaderboards and challenges!
• Chapters compete to raise funds for their local scholarship funds.
• The more unique (one-time) donors a chapter receives, the higher they climb on the leaderboard.
• Top chapters unlock additional gifts for their scholarship fund.
• Hourly challenges during Giving Day provide even more chances to make an impact.
• Chapters may host events anytime between Feb. 3 and 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 19, with unique gifts counting toward all chapter leaderboards!
• No scholarship fund? No problem! Chapters without a local scholarship fund can still participate by directing gifts to the Virginia Tech Advantage Fund or another university fund of choice. 

Hosting a chapter Giving Day event

• Alumni chapters are encouraged to host local events during the Giving Day season. 
• Eligible dates areFeb. 3 through 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 18.
• The opt-in deadline is Dec. 15.
• Chapters that opt-in by the deadline receive a central Advancement registration link, central event communication, and additional resources. Central registrations links ensure all event gifts are tracked toward the Giving Day leaderboard.

Hokie hospitality

• Each chapter should determine its event budget based on available local funds, anticipated registration fees, and potential grant funding. Reach out to your liaison for grant funding details. 
• Event provisions should align with this budget and will vary by chapter. Common examples include: 
  • Light food, based on the time of day served.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Limited bar service, a drink ticket option, and/or the option to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Registration fee and gift on event

• Chapters are required to charge a minimum $10 registration fee with $5 to help offset event costs and a $5 gift to the Virginia Tech fund of the chapter's choice. Please contact your liaison with any questions about fees.
• An optional additional gift field will also appear during registration. Chapters may choose the Virginia Tech fund designations. 
• Once registration opens, cost structures cannot be changed.

Event description best practices

• The event description must clearly state:
  • Total registration fee.
  • The $5 gift-on-event and fund designation (i.e., XYZ Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund).
  • What the registration fee includes (i.e., food, beverages, drink ticket, light appetizers, etc.).

Post event grant and revenue reimbursement

Following the event, revenue collected via central Advancement registration link will be reimbursed to the chapter.  

Grant funding is contingent on meeting all event requirements and the availability of funds at the time of submission.

Before submitting receipts, please ensure:

• Your event information was submitted through the designated event form or channel by the required deadline. 
• All event requirements are met, if applicable. (i.e. central registration link utilized, required fees implemented., post-event reporting completed, deadlines were met, etc.)
• Receipts are itemized, legible, and combined into a single PDF when possible.

Important notes

• Revenue reimbursement and grant funding can only be made to the alumni chapter.
• Processing time varies. Nost reimbursements are completed within four to six weeks once your liaison submits all documentation.
• Late submissions (received after 30 days) may result in reduced or denied funding.