UW-Stout alumni, supporters can double their impact during Stout Gives Back Dec. 3

Funds of Focus offer matching gifts challenge to support students, athletes, learning environments, more

Menomonie, Wis. – To continue the tradition of National Day of Giving on Tuesday, Dec. 3, University of Wisconsin-Stout will host its sixth annual Giving Day event, Stout Gives Back, a 24-hour campaign to support departments and programs across campus.

The event is supported by the UW-Stout Foundation to encourage donations for areas of critical need. Donors can make gifts to the 2024 Stout Gives Back Funds of Focus or specify their gifts to an area of UW-Stout they would like to support. The foundation has set a goal to raise $300,000.

Donations can be made online or by mail. Address checks to UW-Stout, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie, Wis., 54751.

A collective of alumni and friends have already given gifts to support and uplift the Funds of Focus. They challenge others to meet their amounts to make an even bigger impact on the university and students’ college experiences.

“This giving day is more than a fundraiser – it’s a celebration of community, generosity and the incredible impact we can create together. It is a movement that is exciting to be a part of,” said foundation Annual Giving Officer Jocelyn White.

A collective of 17 generous alumni and friends have already given. Some have created challenge gifts – Funds of Focus – calling on others to match their amounts. The Funds of Focus are listed below.

Of the donors who’ve given this year already is Viola Riebe. Riebe has been connected to several UW-Stout programs for more than 20 years, and one that is especially close to her heart is Fostering Success. She and an anonymous donor, in collaboration, are giving $30,000 on Giving Day to support foster youth through UW-Stout’s Fostering Success program.

The program provides guidance, advocacy and resources to help students who have been in foster care, homeless or orphaned while they earn a college degree. With inspiring participants like Riebe, the foundation is confident about designing a bright future for students and the university.

Last year's goal of $250,000 was far surpassed, with 802 gifts and pledges totaling $370,289 in support of Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.

Challenge Funds of Focus to maximize your impact

• Blue Devil Athletics | $48,000 Challenge

      Sponsored by a team of athletics alumni and friends, including Chancellor Katherine Frank, her husband, Joe Dvorsky, Sue Martin       ('80), Rita and Howard Slinden and three anonymous donors. The Blue Devil Fund supports all UW-Stout intercollegiate athletics. The       betterment of the student-athlete experience is at the heart of all projects. 

• StoutPromise Scholarship | $18,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Lou Welter ('76) and Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese. This fund ensures that students receive the support they require to excel academically and professionally and allows UW-Stout to stay dedicated to student success.

• Student Emergency Fund | $17,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Chancellor Katherine Frank, her husband, Joe Dvorsky and Roger ('63, '64) and Mary Schaefer. Contributing to UW-Stout's Student Emergency Fund provides financial assistance to students faced with the difficult decision of whether to continue on in school.

• Learning Environments Fund | $19,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese and two anonymous donors. Labs and studio spaces are central to UW-Stout's technology-driven, industry-aligned polytechnic education. Outnumbering traditional classrooms by three to one, these learning environments prepare students to lead the industries of tomorrow.

• StoutProud Fund | $4,000 Challenge

Sponsored by Marilyn Krause Leccese ('74) and Rick Leccese. The StoutProud Fund empowers donors to make a difference without specifying the use of their gift. This allows the university to meet the highest needs as they arise. 

• Fostering Success | $30,000 Challenge

     Sponsored by Viola Riebe and an anonymous donor. 

For more information, visit www.uwstout.edu/giving-day or contact the UW-Stout Foundation.

Giving Day donors can share the hashtag #STOUTGIVESBACK to encourage others to give and follow social media sites for the university, Alumni Association and Athletics for posts on information prior to and throughout the event.

UW-Stout, a member of the Universities of Wisconsin, is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.