One Day for Dawgs 2026:
THANK YOU!
Thank you for joining Ferris State alumni, friends, fans, and supporters from across
Bulldog Nation in making a difference for the causes you care most about. Thanks to
your combined efforts, we had the best One Day for Dawgs yet!
Check out our final facts and figures below, including challenge winners. We hope
you'll plan to join us again next year on Wednesday, April 7, 2027 for One Day for Dawgs 2027!
2026 Highlight Video
Watch the video below to see highlights from this year's One Day for Dawgs day of giving at Ferris State University!
Challenge and Matching Gifts
Learn more about the exciting Challenge gifts available during this year's day of giving by clicking on the challenge names below! Match gifts for specific teams are noted on their fundraising pages.
The Kickoff Challenge
The first four fundraising teams to receive gifts on April 8 will receive a bonus toward their cause.
- First-Gen Student Schol. Endowment (x2)
- Roberta C. Teahen DCCL Schol. Endowment
- Ferris Youth Initiative
Sponsored by Rex Schuberg
Double the Bite Challenge
Calling all Bulldog students! Dr. Pink needs you to help him Double the Bite during One Day for Dawgs. On April 8, he will match the first $1,000 donated by current students.
Bulldogs help other Bulldogs - double your impact on April 8!
Sponsored by Dr. Bill and Lori Pink
Raise the Bar Challenge
The fundraising team with the largest percentage increase in unique donors over last year will receive a bonus toward its cause.
- Theatre Program
Sponsored by Dr. David and Patsy Eisler
Athletics Challenge
The men's and women's athletic teams that earn gifts from the most total donors will receive a bonus gift.
The men's and women's athletic teams with the highest average gift amount donated will each receive a bonus gift.
- Hockey Facility Enhancements
- FSU Men's Basketball Program
- FSU Volleyball Team
- FSU Women's Tennis
Sponsored by Dr. Dick Shaw and John Sonntag
The 1884 Competition
The donor who makes the 1,884th gift during One Day for Dawgs will receive a bonus $1,884 toward the cause they donate to.
- Challenge was not met, but our generous sponsor supported the BR HS Opportunity Forward Schol. Endowment
Sponsored by Dr. Emily Hancock
President Pink's Picks
President Pink needs your votes to choose a cause for bonus funds! Dr. Pink will make a gift to each of the three One Day for Dawgs teams below, and whichever team gets the most votes from the campus community on April 8 will unlock a bonus gift. Find the One Day for Dawgs tables in the DEC during the event to cast your vote!
- The Indoor Athletic Complex
- Ferris Cares Program (Formerly the BBNA) - WINNER
- The Veterans Resource Center
Sponsored by Dr. Bill and Lori Pink
Faculty and Staff Giving Challenge
The three causes that receive the most total donations from Ferris State faculty and staff during One Day for Dawgs will each receive a bonus gift.
- Ferris Cares Basic Needs Program
- First-Gen Student Scholarship Endowment
- KCAD Annual Student Exhibition
Sponsored by Dr. Kathy and Steve Mullins, Brandi and Jerry Behrenwald, Krissy and Doug Workman
Young Alumni Challenge
If you graduated between 2015 and 2025, make your gift count even more! The two teams receiving the most gifts from unique young alumni donors will receive a bonus gift each.
- FSU Volleyball Program
- CTMG Alumni Network Scholarship Fund
Sponsored by Elizabeth Albright, Bob Love, Allie Mowery, Dave Murray, Carrie Ziegler-Thomas and Adam Thomas
Fundraising Power Hours
All donations during challenge power hours will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to the maximum listed below.
7 - 8 a.m., Up to $5,000
11 a.m. - 12 noon, Up to $5,000
3 - 4 p.m., Up to $1,000
7 - 9 p.m., Up to $3,500
The Final Countdown begins at 9:00 p.m. and will offer a different challenge: the three teams receiving gifts from highest number of individual donors will each receive a bonus gift!
Make your donation count even more by taking advantage of these power hours!
Sponsored by Kent Communications Inc., The Ferris Foundation
Lead Your Pack; Represent the Bulldogs
One Day for Dawgs Toolkit
Looking to make an impact on campus? Interested in representing the Ferris State and One Day for Dawgs brand?
Check out our ODFD Toolkit and get tips for having a successful campaign.
2026 Impact
One Day Goal
$300,000
Total Gifts*
$505,232
Engagement
104 TEAMS
1,728 GIFTS
1,295 DONORS
365 FIRST-TIME DONORS
888 ALUMNI DONORS
160 FIRST-TIME ALUMNI DONORS
Gifts
683
$5 - $50 Gifts
369
$51 - $100 Gifts
602
$101 - $500 Gifts
72
$501+ Gifts
2
$50,000+ Gifts
*Total gifts reflect any additional gifts received after the day of giving that were postmarked in support of One Day for Dawgs and as such, is higher than the initial total from the conclusion of the giving day.