Madison Long
Life Editor
For 1,901 minutes between March 10th at 9 a.m. and March 11th at 4:41 p.m., donors will contribute to a crowdfunding campaign designed specifically for the ISU Bengals.
In its fifth year running, Bengal Giving Day has moved from strictly phone-call donations to a website fundraiser and campus celebration.
Donations can be made online through bengalgivingday.com, dropped off physically or mailed to the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), regardless if the donation is pre-planned or made during the donation window.
“A day of giving creates some excitement, some energy and a sense of urgency, when there’s a lot of activity,” says Stephanie Smith, Vice President for University Advancement. “It’s concentrated on purpose to really lean in and celebrate what makes us special in a community setting with people who are all in on the Bengals.”
The event focuses on ISU Alumni hoping to give back to their department or college, however anyone is welcome to donate. On the Giving Day site, the minimum requirement is $5.
Money generated is shared among any areas of the university and across all ISU campuses, impacting Idaho Falls and Meridian. Donors might choose to provide more opportunity to student athletes, study abroad programs, undergraduate research, the student emergency fund, ROAR Scholarship Fund (a fund designed to provide immediate financial aid to help current students and grow a permanent endowment for future generations) or Benny’s Pantry.
“I say to donors, what impact are you trying to make?” says Levi Gribas, Leadership Annual Giving Officer. “The biggest part is finding out where their heart lies in the whole process.”
This complementary donation event can also source and generate funds for student clubs, through a direct giving page. By February 20, 2026, clubs must send a request to giving@isu.edu, with a picture and a 150-250 word explanation of why the club is raising funds.
Both donors and clubs can take advantage of the upcoming strategy workshops to learn the best practices for digital fundraising. The workshops will be held February 18 at 10 a.m and February 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Pond Student Union Building, North Fork Salmon River Room.
“It makes you feel you’re really part of something big,” says Director of Annual Giving, Daniel Moore. “It’s hundreds of people all donating together to try and accomplish something great for our students.”
Moore says their goal is to reach 1,000 donors this year, whether that be friends, family, students, faculty or alumni.
For students who cannot directly donate but still wish to be involved, Gribas shared that the spirit of giving often promotes students to find ways to serve and give back to their community. He and the rest of the Annual Giving team are also planning student games and events on the 11th to help students win money and then donate to the fund of their choice.
Hide-A-Bengal will also continue this year, with miniature Bengal plushies hidden around all three ISU campuses. If found, students can return the plush to the front desk at Meridian or Idaho Falls or to the Pond Student Union Building to earn $50 to send towards their fund.
“The university is a springboard for so many people into the workforce and into their futures,” says Gribas. “Whether they see it that way or not, ISU has that effect. It sets you up for success.”
Donors have the special opportunity to stretch their fundraising efforts across the two days through challenges. Here, donors can choose to participate in a dollar challenge – donating a defined amount if others contribute a certain amount – or a donor challenge – donating a defined amount if a certain number of pledges are received.
To end the 1,901 minutes of giving, there will be a reception in the Pond Student Union Building, open to all, to take photos in Bengal gear and support the continuation of ISU’s Bengal pride.
“Everything our donors do directly impacts students today, as well as students of tomorrow,” says Smith, who will be experiencing her second Bengal Giving Day this year.
For those who cannot donate, share the Bengal Giving Day message and initiative with #BengalGivingDay. Any additional questions can be sent to Daniel Moore at 208-282-1113 or giving@isu.edu.
