The Impact of WBGB 2021


Wear Black, Give Back 2021 set a record for support of UNO.

During Wear Black, Give Back 2021, supporters made 2,389 gifts and contributed $362,284 to the effort, exceeding the giving day goal of 1,500 donors. Just as in the inaugural giving day in 2020, these gifts comprised the single-greatest number of supporters giving to UNO in any 24-hour period in the university’s history. 

Wear Black, Give Back 2021 also saw a number of new records set:

  • More than 320 faculty and staff members made gifts totaling $26,426, nearly doubling the 2020 total of 168 givers.
  • More than 231 current students contributed almost $7,500, more than doubling the 2020 total of 102 student donors.
  • Donors from 45 U.S. states and five countries participated.
  • 35 student organizations collectively raised more than $22,000 for their programs, activities and service projects.
  • Gifts ranged from $5 to $100,000.
  • More than 40 lead sponsors provided more than $187,000 in challenge gifts.
  • More than 200 social media ambassadors helped spread the word among their personal networks. 

Finally, the hashtag #WearBlackGive back collected hundreds of photos, videos and messages from UNO supporters showing their school colors and expressing their pride in being a UNO Maverick.

Testimonials of your impact: 

Wear Black, Give Back donors had a tremendous impact on our campuses in 2021-22. Below are just a few quotes from students and faculty who benefitted from your generosity:

“With 2021's Wear Black, Give Back donations, the Food Pantry was able to provide "Boxes for Break," which is a new program that allows students to choose up to 15 seasonal comfort food items for breaks where the food pantry is not open. From Thanksgiving break through the holidays, the Food Pantry was able to distribute almost 300 boxes.” – Madeline St. Clair, Maverick Food Pantry

“Support from events like Wear Black, Give Back are used for scholarships to make a college education accessible and affordable to students, which gives them the assurance that they can invest their energies in coursework and participate in extra-curricular activities to realize the full potential of the quality education that they are earning at UNO.” – Roopa Venkatesh Ph.D., CMA Director, School of Accounting 

“I cannot say enough how thankful I am that I was able to embark on this journey with Kari and her For Elephants team. I came back to the U.S. with a new mindset about life and other options for my future career as a veterinarian. Being out in the bush with the wildlife, added the idea of wildlife veterinary science to my future career board." - Molly Andreasen, UNO Education Abroad student, Summer 2022 – Various Locations, South Africa. *Molly’s study in South Africa was delayed in both summer of 2020 and summer of 2021. She was finally able to go in summer of 2022. It was a long time coming for her to go to South Africa and study elephant endocrinology along with other wildlife.

"The Scholars Academy was my first real introduction to the business world. From having classes with teachers that also worked in their professions to having experiences with mentors that continue to open doors for me, all while being surrounded by like-minded peers, I know my career wouldn't be at the place it is without my time in the Scholars Academy. That is why I chose to support Wear Black, Give Back.” – Caleb Moyer, UNO CBA Scholars Academy graduate

"Wear Black Give Back was a wonderful experience that gave our students a chance to come together to fundraise for our Mavforensics team. They used their creative, research, and networking skills to complete a really fun and successful campaign! We are excited about the opportunities that these funds can bring - help with travel costs, student support, team building and competition materials….the opportunities are quite frankly, endless, and we are thrilled about what Wear Black Give Back can do to support our students!" - Amanda VonGoodrich, Co-Director of Forensics and Instructor, School of Communication

Thank you.

UNO and the University of Nebraska Foundation thank all who gave and participated during Wear Black, Give Back 2021. We hope you'll again join us for Wear Black, Give Back 2022 as we aim to set a new record of 2,500 donors in support of our students. See you Oct. 12-13!