KU raises $3.2 million as part of one-day campaign; butterfly program, Kansas Athletics top recipients

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

The University of Kansas campus is pictured in February 2023.

The University of Kansas raised more than $3.2 million from donors on Friday as part of its annual 24-hour fundraising campaign.

The One Day One KU fundraising effort garnered donations for the Lawrence, Edwards and medical center campuses. The campaign allowed donors to provide gifts to specific departments or programs. KU Endowment, which oversaw the campaign, said gifts to the butterfly ecological program Monarch Watch, Kansas Athletics, the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and scholarships for students were the donation categories that attracted the most donors.

The Monarch Watch program attracted gifts from 390 donors. The funding will help secure the future of the international program that is based at KU. Money will be used to help attract a new leader for the program to replace longtime director Chip Taylor, who has retired.

Kansas Athletics attracted 342 gifts, with money being used to help fund mental health and wellness programs for student athletes. The Alzheimer’s center received 302 gifts, and student scholarship programs attracted 272, according to KU Endowment.

KU leaders touted that the One Day One KU program, now in its sixth year, continues to grow as a way for people to donate to the university.

“Every gift makes a difference, whether it is $5, $500 or $5,000,” KU Chancellor Douglas Girod said in a release. “Reaching out and making a statement is what matters. The collective power of the Jayhawk community is hugely impactful, and One Day One KU has grown every year. It is very exciting to be part of the day as people think about their connection to KU and supporting areas across our university.”