Giving Joy Day

Each year, we observe Eastern's birthday by coming together as a community to spread joy and kindness, and to raise much-needed funds to help Build the Future for EWU students.

Giving Joy Day is 1,882 minutes of celebration in honor of Eastern's founding on April 3, 1882. 

You can make a joyful gift to any area of campus, and we encourage you to find something that has a special meaning to you. Whether you are passionate about supporting a priority in one of our academic colleges, an athletic team, student organization, funding experiential learning opportunities or any number of other options, you can direct your gift to exactly what you want to support. Every gift supports one of the four pillars of EWU's first ever Comprehensive Campaign:

     - Access & Affordability

     - Hands-On Learning

     - Building Healthy Communities

     - Community Through Athletic Excellence

When you contribute to Build Our Future, you open doors for students, including those who are the first in their families to attend college. Your gift helps to provide access to life-changing degrees that foster personal, professional and community success. Your support honors EWU’s mission of providing an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience.

Matches and Challenges are gift commitments from other Eagles to help encourage greater participation and to increase the overall excitement on Giving Joy Day.

Donors can "challenge" others to join them in supporting a certain area, program, or priority, by committing to give a certain amount when their challenge goal is met. Challenges may be tied to the number of donors or the total dollars contributed.

Matches work specifically to "match" every dollar that is given to an area, thus doubling the impact of each contribution. To help unlock one of these challenges or matches, find an area that is important to you and see what is available.

If you would like to provide a challenge or match, please contact the EWU Philanthropy Team in advance of the day. If you have additional questions, you can contact contact Eli Riedel-Johnson at 509.359.4555 or by email at ejohnson8@ewu.edu

Since we only have 1,882 minutes, and our goal is to reach as many donors as possible, you can help us spread the word by leveraging your social network and inviting others to join you in supporting EWU! You will find updates that you can share on our Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts for Eastern Washington University, the EWU Alumni Association, EWU Athletics, or the EWU Foundation.

Use the hashtag #GivingJoyDay, #EWU, #GoEags, or #Eagle4Life so others will hear about this special day and make their own gift. The more you share, the more successful Giving Joy Day will be!

To add a little joy to your workplace or community, wear your red and white Eagle gear with pride and post your own celebration pictures. Support an alumni-owned business, come back to campus for a visit, or make a gift of $14, $144, or more to the scholarship or other fund of your choice.

Since Giving Joy Day is a day of sharing, we encourage you to make your gift online and inspire others, so that Eagles everywhere can join in the excitement! You can also call 509.359.6349 to connect with a member of the University Advancement team to make a gift or discuss other options that may be available. To mail your gift, please send to the Eastern Washington University (EWU) Foundation at 102 Hargreaves Hall, Cheney, WA 99004-2413 and mark your gift "Giving Joy Day."

All gifts received on Giving Joy Day are considered tax-deductible contributions to the EWU Foundation, to the extent allowed by IRS guidelines. Once you make your gift, you will receive an email that will serve as your receipt, and once your gift is processed, you will receive an official tax receipt letter by mail. Always consult your tax advisor for advice and possible tax benefits.

An Advancement Fee of up to 5% will apply to your donation. This fee provides essential operational support for the EWU Foundation. Please visit Foundation Fees Policy for more information.

Your credit card will be charged immediately after finalizing your gift on the site.

If you have questions about your gift, you can contact University Advancement at 509.359.6349. You can also contact the Annual Giving Team by email at annualgiving@ewu.edu.