AUSTIN, Texas - For 40 hours, alumni, students, faculty members, staffers and friends will come together to support world-changing people, places and programs across The University of Texas at Austin. UT's Texas-sized day of giving, 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, launched at 6 a.m. today and ends at 10 p.m. Sept. 16. More than 150 student organizations, projects, programs, departments and cultural centers across the university are crowdfunding to thrive, adapt and grow during unprecedented times.
The annual campaign has raised more than $16 million since launching seven years ago. It offers a unique opportunity for people connected to the university to rally and make a gift to support their passions. Gifts can be designated to:
- Support students affected by COVID-19.
- Further coronavirus research efforts.
- Fund scholarships for talented students.
- Support museums through changing circumstances.
- Provide seed grants for groundbreaking disease research projects.
- And much more.
"The gifts UT receives from our proud supporters during 40 for Forty enable our students to pursue their dreams while giving our faculty the freedom to innovate boldly and make world-changing breakthroughs in research, scholarship, artistic expression and beyond," said UT Austin interim President Jay Hartzell.
During the 40 hours, numerous giving challenges and matching gifts create excitement and incentivize participation. For example, the first $5,000 in gifts made by people who have never made a gift to The University of Texas at Austin will be matched dollar for dollar.
Last year, more than 6,600 members of Longhorn Nation made gifts during 40 for Forty. Participation has grown dramatically as philanthropy has become an increasingly important part of funding excellence at UT.
Kush Patel, a public health student, said he is grateful to 40 for Forty for supporting one of his favorite UT programs.
"Through the UT Inventors Program, I was able to engage in geopolitical research challenges with a prominent local company," said Patel. "This opportunity provided great professional development and landed me an internship with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. I'm immensely grateful to 40 for Forty."
This year UT graduates Linda Steen Norris and Lee Norris are participating in 40 for Forty by making commitments to establish an endowed scholarship for students and support multiple sclerosis research.
"Linda has had MS for 30 years," said Lee Norris. "UT's Dell Medical School has assembled a team of experts doing innovative MS and neuroimmunology research that will continue to improve the lives of people living with MS today and lead to conquering the disease in the future."
Get an up-to-the-minute look at the campaign's progress and make a gift at 40for40.utexas.edu. Follow and post to #UT40for40 to join in.
