A gift to University of the Pacific matters any day, but for 24 hours it could be doubled or even tripled while joining thousands of other gifts to make a powerful collective difference for students. 

Pacific Gives, the university’s 24-hour fundraiser, returns for its fifth year April 25-26 from noon to noon to propel students and the university forward. Donations can be made online.

Previous giving day records were shattered in 2022 for a second consecutive year when nearly 2,900 alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends contributed more than $1.7 million to their favorite university causes. This year giving is already open, with an early participation match ready to double the first $20,000 in gifts. 

“The Pacific community is extremely generous, and I am thankful that so many have already stepped up to answer the call,” said President Christopher Callahan. “Pacific Gives is a unique opportunity to multiply the impact of gifts that change the lives of current and future students.”

Motivated by her own experience as a first-generation college student, Regent Leticia Robles ’89 is helping Pacific prepare high school students for college success. Robles and her husband Jorge Robles ’90 will match the first $50,000 in gifts to fund scholarships to the Pacific Summer High School Institute, a two-week residential program offering participants a taste of college life.

“Many years ago, someone believed in the importance of investing in the future by making a gift to Pacific—I was the recipient of that investment,” Robles said. “It is now our turn to give back and invest in students who share my story and a similar journey.” 

Students take courses on topics ranging from dentistry to astronomy to coding, while living in Pacific’s residence halls and building connections through social activities and sports camps. 

Last year’s inaugural institute drew more than 300 participants from across the U.S. and Canada. More than 2,000 high schoolers are expected to attend this summer—and benefit from donors’ support.

“I learned so many things, and this definitely encouraged me to be more involved in school,” said Sage Ross, a high school student who received one of the scholarships in 2022. “I really enjoyed this program, and I'm so grateful I was chosen to come here.”

Philanthropic Pacificans can also support the renovation of historic Manor Hall, which will house student veterans, active-duty military and their families on the Stockton Campus. Pacific’s enrolled military and student veteran population has increased significantly in recent years.

The first 1,000 donors to any fund during Pacific Gives will unlock $100,000 for Manor Hall, thanks to the generosity of Ken Garber ’84, a retired United States Navy captain.

Pacific Gives extends to all three campuses and includes opportunities to partner with each of the nine schools and colleges. At the Eberhardt School of Business, donors can support the Executive in Residence Fund, which brings nationally recognized thought leaders to Stockton to discuss the latest trends driving the future of business.

The first 15 donors who give to this program will unlock a $2,500 challenge gift from Stockton philanthropists Judi and Tim Hachman. When 30 donors contribute, an additional $10,000 from Robert Keeney ’71 will be unlocked to further partnerships between students and the Stockton business community. 

Tiger fans can also get in on the excitement with a gift to Pacific Athletics. Gifts will help the cross-country team take its preseason training trip to Hawaii, the baseball team upgrade its batting cages, the men’s tennis team enjoy a full season of nutritious meals and more. The two athletic teams with the most donors will earn an additional $2,500 for their programs. 

No matter the designation or the size of the gift, every dollar matters. 

“Pacific Gives illustrates the collective power of this community to make a difference,” said Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Gifts of all sizes add up to ensure that a world-class Pacific education remains available for generations to come.”