What is the 24-Hour Challenge?

The 24-Hour Challenge is Rice University’s annual day of giving! On March 4, 2026, the Rice community will unite to support a singular student experience, contributing to the resources and opportunities that make up the best education possible. Gifts can be directed to a school, residential college, research initiative, student club or any area on campus that means the most to you. 

To bolster our effort, two families have generously offered a supporting challenge: when 7,000 donors make a gift of any size by March 4, they will donate $850,000 to the university! 

Why should I give to Rice?

Everyone has a personal reason for giving. Whether you’re paying it forward, investing in excellence or helping make education more affordable for deserving students, your gift of any size matters. Thank you for choosing to make a difference! 

Together, the collective philanthropy of the Rice community today fuels the heart of the university — empowering students from every walk of life, supporting faculty whose ideas push the world forward, and sustaining the dedicated staff who make our community thrive. 

What donations count toward the donor goal?

All gifts made through challenge.rice.edu will count toward the 7,000 donor goal to earn $850,000 for the university, along with any gifts made by mail, phone or online at giving.rice.edu (must be designated to the 2026 24-Hour Challenge).

How do I make my gift?

You can make your gift online using this secure website or by calling 713-348-4991.

Once I make my gift, how can I stay updated and involved?

Be sure to monitor the leaderboards on this website or follow Rice Giving on Facebook, Instagram and X to get progress reports throughout the day to share with your Owl network. Tell your friends and family why you support Rice and encourage them to be one of the 7,000 needed donors, too! 

Tag our social media accounts above and use #1Day1Rice so that we can see your posts. (We might even share them, too.) 

I’ve already committed to a pledge. Can my gift count toward the challenge?

Yes! Make this year’s payment toward your pledge on March 4 to be counted toward the challenge goal. 

I don’t see my favorite area of support. How can I give to that fund or program?

If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can still designate your gift to the area of your choice. When you give online, select the “other” category and type in the name of your fund.

Do my spouse and I need to make separate gifts to be counted in the challenge?

One gift will count as two donors if you choose to recognize your spouse. To ensure you're both counted toward the main challenge goal, please enter your spouse's name on the giving form. If you are both Rice alums: enter your spouse's class year on the giving form and residential college on the post-payment form to be counted on the class and residential college leaderboards. 

Help us promote the 24-Hour Challenge! Our advocate toolkit provides step-by-step instructions for becoming an advocate and spreading the word.

The Annual Giving team is standing by to answer any questions you may have. Please call us at 713-348-4991 or email us at giving@rice.edu for more information.