Augusta Gives event brings in over $650,000 for AU

Augusta University celebrated its sixth annual day of giving, Augusta Gives, on March 19, raising $658,387 from more than 860 donors.

Augusta Gives is the largest one-day fundraiser to benefit Augusta University. Donations for this community-funded initiative are primarily driven by social media posts and shares by alumni, friends, retirees, employees, parents, students, the greater Augusta community and some of the university’s most generous supporters who choose to make major gifts on this day.

The Augusta Gives virtual platform allowed donors to support the colleges, programs, units or areas that resonate most with them. In addition, supporters were encouraged to follow the campaign’s progress on the Augusta Gives website and to post about their gifts and share why they support AU.

“Augusta University provides a $1.5 billion economic impact, not just in Augusta, but throughout the state and region,” said Kristina Baggott, interim vice president for development in Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. “It’s truly inspiring to witness the impact we can achieve – in just one day – when our community members, alumni, business partners, students, as well as faculty and staff, come together. Augusta Gives supports scholarships, athletics, academics, research, innovation and other essential programs, and we are deeply thankful for the generous support that makes it all possible.”

This year’s campaign generated donations to AU’s colleges, athletics, the new translational research building, cancer and immunology research, student scholarships and more.

AU students got involved in Augusta Gives through coin wars among the 2025 homecoming court, lawn parties and power hours that generated bonus funding for previously identified needs. Not only were AU students actively involved in Augusta Gives campus events, but they also had a high donor count of 201, coming in third behind faculty and staff with 293 unique donors and alumni with 241.

During six power hours, generous sponsors awarded an extra $1,200 to the following initiatives or areas for receiving the highest number of unique donors:

• Early Bird Power Hour: James M. Hull College of Business Student Scholarships, sponsored by Horizon Motorcoach
• Research Power Hour: Immunology Center of Georgia, sponsored by T.R. Reddy
• School/College Power Hour: Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, sponsored by Gardelle Lewis
• Student Services Power Hour: Reese Instruction Room (Reese Library), sponsored by Georgia’s Own Credit Union
• Athletics Power Hour: Men’s Basketball, sponsored by Riverside Refreshments
• After Hours Power Hour: Lillie Butler Johnson Scholarship (English & World Languages), sponsored by Horizon Motorcoach

Additionally, over $285,000 was given by AU alumni and nearly $238,000 by friends of AU.

The goal of Augusta Gives is to engage the community, alumni, friends, donors, retirees, parents, employees and students to give at any level to drive growth and impact the future at and through Augusta University.

Learn more about the event by visiting the Augusta Gives website.