Support What You Love During UMassGives 2026

Participating groups—which include academic departments, student organizations, and programs—are actively engaged throughout UMassGives, raising money for their causes and competing in challenges, such as Power Hours, for the chance to earn extra funds.

Power Hours are high-energy challenges during which groups compete to garner the most donors in a single hour. The winner of each Power Hour receives $2,000, while groups in second and third place each earn $500, providing a boost for participating groups to fuel their missions.

Last year, Duly Noted, the coed student a cappella group, took full advantage of the extra challenges. The group not only won its Power Hour but also took first place in the Student Organization Challenge, earning an extra $3,000 total. Juliet Abramson ’27, president of Duly Noted, says that the group’s enthusiasm for UMassGives helped with their success.

“We look forward to UMassGives every year!” Abramson says. “We reach out to our friends and family in advance to let them know when our Power Hour is, and during the hour we sit in a circle all together and, like a call center, we each contact as many people as we can to raise funds.”

Duly Noted has 17 members who regularly perform throughout the area. Notable performances include Governor Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address at the State House in Boston, the Northampton Arts Council’s 41st Silver Chord Bowl, and the International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella, where they earned the Outstanding Choreography award.

Abramson says that UMassGives has had an impact on the group’s growth.

“Through winning the Student Organization Challenge and Power Hour, we were able to record our sophomore studio album, Leave the Light On, which released on February 20,” she says. “We were also able to purchase new sound equipment to enhance our sound when performing and recording live.”

Club sports were also highly successful during UMassGives 2025. Men’s Club Rowing took first place in both the Club Sports Challenge and its Power Hour, resulting in an additional $3,000. Men’s Club Rugby and Men’s Ultimate Frisbee placed second and third, respectively, in the Club Sports Challenge, and each won their Power Hours, unlocking another $2,500 each.

For Women’s Club Ice Hockey, UMassGives fundraising enables the team to compete across the country. Competing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s Division 1, the highly competitive UMass team has been invited to 17 of the last 22 national championship tournaments.

Sara Dunford ’25, ’28 MS, who plays defense, notes that Amherst is not in close proximity to many of the teams UMass plays, which means added travel costs.

“There are only three opponents in the ACHA Women’s D1 that are within a single-day bus ride [from Amherst]. This forces us to either fly or take two-day bus rides to the majority of our away games, which is very expensive,” Dunford explains.

UMassGives plays a key role in funding these travel costs and other expenses that fall under the team’s responsibility, such as game and practice ice time, game officials, uniforms, equipment, EMTs for home games, and coaching staff.

Members of the team recognize the opportunity UMassGives offers and are enthusiastic in their efforts during the campaign. Last year, Women’s Club Ice Hockey won its Power Hour, earning an extra $2,000 that will go directly toward team operations.

“Our team recognizes the costs of our sport, and fundraising is a responsibility shared by all members,” says Dunford. “We spread the word about UMassGives to everyone we can think of and encourage them to participate in our Power Hour.”

Every member of the UMass Amherst community has the opportunity to support what inspires them most during UMassGives 2026.

Whether you support scholarships, club sports, extracurricular programs, or research, you’re doing so much more than funding programs. You are part of a collective effort to uplift students and enrich the UMass experience for generations to come.

Join us on April 29 and April 30 at UMassGives.org.