The University of Mary Washington and Fredericksburg community rallied to raise more than $1.33 million on Mary Wash Day 2025 to support students, faculty and programs.
The 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement was April 2 and 3 during which 2,565 donors participated. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors were unlocked, which doubled and tripled the impact of each donor’s gift.
“This achievement isn’t just about surpassing a financial goal – it’s a powerful testament to the extraordinary commitment of the UMW community to invest in the university’s mission,” UMW Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 said.
A 58 percent increase in giving over 2024 giving on Mary Wash Day enabled the event to surpass the $1 million mark for the first time in eight years. Donors were from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as overseas and gifts were made to 124 different areas such as academics, arts, athletics, service, career and cultural programs.
“This milestone shows that when Eagles unite around a shared purpose, there’s no limit to how high we can soar or what we can accomplish together,” Orlando said.
The most was donated to the Fund for Mary Washington, which enables the university to continue to offer a liberal arts and sciences education in small classes where students are able to build personal relationships with their professors. UMW Theatre, the College of Education, Women’s Basketball, Simpson Library and the Marshall E. Bowen Scholarship also acquired a lot of donations.
“Breaking the million-dollar mark for the first time on Mary Wash Day is a truly historic moment for the University of Mary Washington. These gifts directly enhance the student experience, empower our faculty and strengthen the programs that define a Mary Washington education. We are deeply grateful, and this milestone affirms the enduring impact of our collective commitment to UMW’s future,” UMW President Troy Paino said.
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Rebecca Barnabi
