Thursday, February 17 is Gator Nation Giving Day, when University of Florida alumni, students, faculty, staff, families and friends worldwide all get a chance to Stand Up & Holler.
One thing I’ve learned from my travels around the state is that Gators are passionate ambassadors for the Gator Nation. I see it everywhere in the pride our faculty and staff take in their work, the way they like to break out that orange and blue, the family bonds that unite Gators wherever they are.
I’ve got to say, it is great to be a Florida Gator!
Giving Day is a celebration, a chance to unite our voices by showing support for UF and all the research, education and outreach that make positive impacts on our state, nation and world.
The University-wide goal is to generate 23,000 gifts in 24 hours, and just as it has every year, UF/IFAS will play a big part in reaching that goal.
In 2021, UF/IFAS received 1,100 gifts, raising $224,350 for its teaching, research and Extension missions.
Through UF’s land-grant mission, IFAS touches the lives of more people around the state than any other part of the University. Whether they received their degrees from CALS, benefit from UF/IFAS scientific research, rely on their county Extension office for educational programs, or have fond memories of summers spent at 4-H camps, hundreds of thousands of people each year benefit from the teaching, research and Extension work of UF/IFAS.
Last year’s event was a major success. We received 1,100 gifts, raising $224,350 for programs across our mission areas. We’re looking to do even better this year.
You can give gifts of any amount to any UF fund during Gator Nation Giving Day. This year, the team at UF/IFAS Advancement is highlighting even more giving opportunities, so you can support UF/IFAS Extension wherever it affects you the most, whether they’re statewide programs or your friendly neighborhood Extension office.
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YOUR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE
A gift to your UF/IFAS Extension office results in positive change that you can see in your own community, including 4-H clubs for youth, lawn and garden support from local Master Gardener Volunteers, tools and resources for local growers, improved natural resource conservation strategies, healthy living skills for families in nutrition and finances, and much more. |
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FLORIDA 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
When you give a gift to Florida 4-H, you help reach more than 200,000 young people statewide. From agriculture to art, civic engagement to healthy living, and photography to robotics, 4-H’ers discover their potential and become the leaders we need now more than ever. Florida 4-H Youth Development Challenge Your gift to 4-H helps unlock an additional $2,000 from Dr. Marilyn Norman for this summer’s 50th Session of Florida 4-H Legislature. |
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4-H CAMPS
4-H camping is where youth discover new passions, strengthen their independence and connect with their peers to be effective team members and develop as leaders. Your gift will help improve facilities and resources for more than 1,200 youth at Florida’s 4-H camps. Each of the camps also can earn a bonus $1,000 from Dr. Marilyn Norman. |
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FLORIDA PROJECT LEARNING TREE
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning education program that uses the study of forests and trees to increase children’s understanding of the environment and the actions they can take to conserve it. In Florida, PLT is an Extension program of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences. Langdale Co. Challenge for Florida PLT The Langdale Company is proud to support Project Learning Tree and is matching each gift up to $2,000 total. |
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EXTENSION UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIPS
Gifts to this fund go to the Extension Internship Program, a collaboration with the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and part of VP Scott Angle’s promise to enrich the educational opportunities for CALS students. Jimmy & Benita Boyd Challenge for Extension Internships Jimmy Boyd and Benita Boyd will match all gifts to the Extension Internship Program up to $3,000 to double your impact for student interns in 2022. |
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FLORIDA MASTER GARDENER LEGACY ENDOWMENT
The Master Gardener Legacy Endowment provides financial support to Master Gardener Volunteer programs throughout Florida. County groups can apply annually to receive grants for new or continuing educational projects, such as school and community gardens, greenhouse construction and more. Join us in continuing to grow this endowment and fund more county Master Gardener projects in local communities. |
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FLORIDA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM ENDOWMENT
For more than 20 years, the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) has promoted awareness, understanding and respect for Florida’s natural world. Extension-trained Florida Master Naturalists share their knowledge and foster principles of respect for our natural world. Your gift will help to train more Master Naturalists, develop curriculum resources and protect natural Florida through education. |
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FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES PROGRAMS
Your gift to UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) supports healthy families and healthier communities across our state. FCS programs empower Floridians with the skills needed to adopt and sustain a healthy lifestyle and achieve financial success. Dr. Mike Gutter Challenge Dr. Mike Gutter will personally match the first $500 to the FCS Extension Program Fund. |
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FLORIDA SEA GRANT KARL HAVENS ENDOWMENT
Karl E. Havens served as director of Florida Sea Grant from 2007 until his unexpected passing in 2019. A professor of aquatic ecology at the University of Florida, Karl was a leading international expert on aquatic research, management, education and outreach. Your gift will help to permanently endow this fund in Karl’s memory and fuel Florida Sea Grant’s continued work to better understand and protect our most precious resources – our water, coastlines and ecosystems. |
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IFAS UNRESTRICTED FUND
If you just want to show your support for UF/IFAS, you can give to the IFAS unrestricted fund. UF/IFAS is committed to advancing science for 20 million Floridians and beyond. Training the next generation, assisting communities in the wake of natural disasters, protecting water resources and fighting citrus greening are just a few of the ways UF/IFAS is making a difference. Your gift to UF/IFAS provides critical resources to help us keep making a difference. |
You can see a full list of giving opportunities for UF/IFAS Teaching, Research and Extension on the Gator Giving Day website.
This is going to be my first Gator Nation Giving Day, and I’m excited to see just how much energy Gators everywhere are going to generate when we stand up and holler for UF!
To stand up & holler on social media, use #AllForTheGators
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