The University of Toledo recognizes the importance of community, how it helps drive our success and is ingrained in who we are. This community includes our alumni, students, faculty, staff, clinicians, researchers, fans and the greater Toledo region. Together we continue to make northwest Ohio and the world a better place to live, work and play.
Today, we recognize that community for coming together to celebrate our Rocket Forward Day of Giving. Celebrating the eighth-annual campaign, the 36-hour effort generated 3,882 gifts through online donations and live event participation leading to $2,102,228. The 2025 campaign finished strong with a 58% increase in gifts and raised an additional 23% — $389,106 — when compared to the previous year. Even in a time when people continue to be extremely intentional about how they spend their time, energy and funds, we can see the dedication of the Rocket Nation and our gratitude goes well beyond what we can even express in words.
Support from the community and local businesses continued to expand our reach this year. Participating businesses included Bubba’s 33, The Casual Pint, Home Slice Pizza, Table Forty4, Jake’s Saloon, Jed’s (North Holland Sylvania Road), Rooster’s, UToledo Health Four Seasons Bistro and Jupmode. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Jim White Toyota, Medical Mutual and Paramount, and the city of Toledo Department of Utilities also served as community partners by making outright donations on behalf of their business and encouraged patrons to join the campaign.
These community partners helped spread awareness for the great work being accomplished at UToledo and added an additional $2,567.35 in funding to the campaign through encouraging patrons to round-up their purchase amount or to make additional donations.
“As a result of the incredible support received, we not only reached — but exceeded — our goals. Rocket Forward Day of Giving helps ensure that students, faculty, staff and programs continue to thrive at UToledo. Every gift matters and each donation fuels the groundbreaking research, transformative learning experiences and strong networks that UToledo offers,” UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder said. “Thank you for sharing your love for UToledo and helping us shape a brighter future for our University and our community.”
This year, 126 advocates generated 270 gifts, for a total of $29,444, using their unique participation links. Donors were able to support areas across our campuses including scholarships, athletics and educational programs, research, healthcare and community services. This included 66 match and challenge gifts where supporters leveraged their gifts to encourage others to give back through dollar-for-dollar matches or setting donor goals to unlock extra funding.
