Wear Black, Give Back Raises Over $1.4 million to Support UNO

Highlights

• The 2025 Wear Black, Give Back, UNO’s 24-hour giving day, raised a record-setting $1,402,216.
• Supporters made 6,726 gifts, exceeding the fundraising campaign’s goal of 6,500 gifts. The achievement unlocked a $350,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor to support UNO scholarships.
• Wear Black, Give Back raises funds to support causes across UNO, including its colleges and programs, Omaha Athletics, student groups and activities, and scholarships.
• The 24-hour giving day began at noon Oct. 8 and concluded at noon Oct. 9.

Maverick supporters rallied behind University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) students during the sixth annual Wear Black, Give Back, raising a record $1,402,216. It was the first time UNO’s fundraising campaign has surpassed $1 million.

Wear Black, Give Back began at noon Oct. 8 and concluded at noon Oct. 9. Over 24 hours, supporters made 6,726 gifts — exceeding the campaign’s goal of 6,500 gifts. The achievement unlocked a $350,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor to support UNO scholarships.

“Thanks to the generosity of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans and friends, Wear Black, Give Back made history once again,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, said. “Every contribution, no matter the size, is an investment in the future of Omaha. When you support UNO, you’re fueling workforce development, social mobility and the kind of innovation that serves the public good. On behalf of the university, thank you for believing in our mission to transform lives through education, research and service.”

The number of gifts, amount raised and number of donors — with some making multiple gifts — all set records. In all, 4,254 donors gave to Wear Black, Give Back, including 851 UNO faculty and staff, also a new record. Gifts were made online at givingday.unomaha.edu.

Alumni and donors pledged more than $600,000 in challenge and matching funds to encourage others to give. One of those was a “students helping students” challenge established by Chancellor Li. Because 500 students made a gift during the giving day, the chancellor will give $10,000 to support UNO student scholarships. Another match supported the UNO Biomechanics Prosthetics Lab, which manufactures and produces low-cost assistive devices and the materials to build them.

“Your investment in the university is an investment back into the community,” said Jeffrey Kaipust, director of Biomechanics Facilities and Business Operations. “We are a metropolitan university where the research directly impacts the community we serve. The generosity of so many will continue to support advancements in assistive devices for the next generation.”

Wear Black, Give Back raises funds to support causes across UNO, including its colleges and programs, Omaha Athletics, student groups and activities, and scholarships.

UNO senior Joseph Manno of Papillion said scholarship support has removed financial stress and provided extra motivation to succeed in college. A computer science major, he’s currently an intern at the Nebraska Defense Research Corporation, a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Nebraska. He hopes to stay in the Omaha area and work full time for the organization.

“Most of my family is here in Nebraska, and I’m comfortable living here,” Manno said. “I’ve got connections and roots here.”

The campus came alive with Maverick spirit during the Wear Black, Give Back celebration. As a deejay played music on Wednesday, volunteers handed out hot dogs and treats. UNO’s mascot, Durango, danced and greeted students near the Henningson Memorial Campanile.

Social media was abuzz with messages encouraging the Maverick community to support Wear Black, Give Back. Users posted photos of their pets, music students serenaded followers with piano ditties, and the Omaha baseball and swimming and diving teams posted fun videos encouraging donors to give.

UNO Student Body President Drew Leisy expressed gratitude to supporters on behalf of UNO’s 15,000 students.

“UNO has felt like home since the day I stepped onto campus,” said Leisy, a native of Bridgeport, Nebraska, who is majoring in business administration with concentrations in management and leadership. “I’ve made lifelong friends. It’s changed the person I am and given me leadership opportunities.”

In 2024, Wear Black, Give Back received 6,242 gifts totaling $907,396.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the 2025 fiscal year, a record $416.6 million was committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, a record 60,602 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is the current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.