On February 26-27, 2018, we're celebrating AU's 125th anniversary with the Founders Day Challenge, a 36-hour giving event. This event demonstrates the collective impact of our community to shape the future of AU.

Giving changes everything. The collective philanthropy of AU alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students impacts everything from one student's career path to the greatest challenges of our time.

Founders Day is one of American University's most enduring traditions. American University was chartered by an act of Congress on February 24, 1893, and we celebrate the mission and vision of AU's founders around this time each year. It was first celebrated on February 21, 1931 with a banquet and pageant sponsored by the Women's Guild of the University. There were over 200 guests and $5,000 was raised for the Guild's scholarship fund. 

In 2014, Founders Day became a university-wide giving event. In 2017, a record number of donors gave over $300,000 to support AU. We can't wait to see what the AU community will do this year.

The goal this year: 750 AU Eagles will give to the school, department, or student organization that means the most to them.

There are three easy ways to get involved and help us reach that goal:

GIVE. Make your gift on February 26 of any size and to any area of the university.

SHARE. Spread the word about the Founders Day Challenge. Visit the Founders Day Challenge website to find sample social media posts, images, and email templates. Or, sign up to be an official social media ambassador with AUSocial.

ASK. Encourage friends, classmates, and colleagues to make their own impact through giving.