Giving Day 2026

We are Wesleyan and today we've shown our students that we believe in them. 

More than 2,700 donors have made gifts to Wesleyan's Giving Day today, meeting Trustee Joel Tillinghast ’80’s challenge of 1,831 unique gifts and unlocking $500,000 in support for Wesleyan students. This generosity builds on the more than $90 million the university invests each year in financial aid to keep a Wesleyan education accessible and sustainable for a diverse and talented student body. 

When we endeavor together, we accomplish more. 

But we still have a lot to accomplish. There are still several community offered-matches and challenges not yet fulfilled. These challenges range in size, but all increase the impact your gift will have on Wesleyan and our students. You have our immense gratitude for showing your support for Wesleyan and our students.

There are still several matches and challenges waiting to be unlocked! Across our community, alumni, families, and friends have stepped up with powerful commitments that will multiply the impact of every gift. From dollar-for-dollar matches to participation challenges of all sizes, each one is an opportunity to turn your generosity into something even greater. As Wesleyan invests more than $90 million each year in financial aid to ensure access for talented students from all backgrounds, these matches help stretch every contribution further. The momentum is building, but we’re not finished yet. Make your gift, fulfill a challenge, and help us accomplish more.

Collectively we met the challenge that trustee Joel Tillinghast '80 put forth to secure the support of 1,831 unique donors towards Giving Day, unlocking a $500,000 gift for Wesleyan students. By design, no one individual could have done this; meeting this challenge could only be done through the collective giving of many.

But we still have a lot to accomplish. Each year, Wesleyan spends more than $90 million on financial aid to make a Wesleyan education accessible and sustainable for a broader group of talented students. Every gift counts and at the time of this post there are more than 25 community-sourced matches and challenges still active. Let's close out the day strong. Go Wes!

The reasons Wesleyan alumni, parents, family, and friends give back are as diverse as our community itself. Rather than telling you why you should support Wesleyan and our students on Giving Day, we want to let these Wesleyan alumni and parents speak for themselves. 

By making your gift to Wesleyan today on our Giving Day site you will move us one step closer to fulfilling Joel’s challenge. You may ALSO be eligible to receive a sticker postcard as a thank you, be entered into a raffle for sleek Wesleyan gear, and have a chance to win a special framed print of your choice. More details ⬇️

Give $10+ and we'll send you a set of Wesleyan stickers to show off your Cardinal pride!

Give $20+ for a chance to win exclusive Wesleyan gear in our giveaway!

Give $100+ for a chance to win a framed print of your choice illustrating Wesleyan's Campus!

Today is Wesleyan Giving Day!

We’re off to a strong start, but we need your help. Joel Tillinghast ‘80 has issued a challenge to the Wesleyan Community. If alumni, parents, and friends help us reach our goal, securing the support of 1,831 unique donors on Giving Day, he will make a $500,000 gift in support of Wesleyan and our students' greatest needs.

Wesleyan’s financial aid program allows us to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all undergraduate students with no loan aid packages. This policy enables our students to chase their passions and use their talents as a guide in their lives and careers, rather than the burden of loans. Will you join Joel in making a Wesleyan Giving Day gift, moving us one step closer to unlocking $500,000 for Wesleyan students?