Shape Hawaiʻi’s future on Giving Day

Last year, over 1,800 donors came together and raised more than $800,000 for UH Hilo students — in a single day. The 3rd Annual UH Giving Day is back, and this year the stakes are higher: with federal funding shifts putting more pressure on private support, your gift may be the thing that keeps a student's dream from going on hold.

This year, our goal goes beyond the dollars. We are calling on our alumni, friends, and local partners to come together as a kauhale (community) to ensure our students have the essential resources they need to thrive.

Your Gift Matters More than Ever

Amidst shifting federal funding landscapes and broader global economic transitions — including recent realignments in international leadership that impact global markets — private support has become the bedrock of our students’ success.

By making a gift, you are directly removing financial barriers that often force vulnerable students to put their dreams on hold. You are investing in graduates who will go on to strengthen our local communities, lead businesses, and protect the well-being of our islands.

13 Pathways to Make an Impact

This year, UH Hilo is highlighting 13 specific funds that address critical, immediate needs. Click here to explore the funds and find where your gift can make the greatest impact.

Spotlight: The Power of Your Dollar in PIPES

To understand exactly how your contribution elevates the student experience, look no further than the Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES). For over 30 years, PIPES has provided paid internships that serve as vital STEM pathways for local and Native Hawaiian students.

Amber Wai Needham, PIPES Program Lead, shares exactly how your gift transforms their programming:

• $100 provides essential field gear for summer intern fieldwork
• $250 supports māhuahua capacity-building workshops to help students navigate post-baccalaureate pathways
• $500 funds a huakaʻi (field excursion) for an intern cohort to build connections with community and place
• $7,500 covers the full cost of one intern’s stipend for the summer

Every Dollar Counts

As Chancellor Bonnie Irwin reminds us, “Every gift—no matter the size—makes a direct difference in the lives of our UH Hilo students, strengthening our Hawaiʻi Island community and the future we are building together.”

Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, your participation proves to our students that they are cared for and valued by their community.

Join us in shaping the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and doers for Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the world!