On Thursday, Feb. 12, Pioneers across the country united for Marietta College’s 10th Annual Day of Giving, marking a decade of generosity and connection with a powerful display of participation and pride. In just 24 hours, 1,047 Pioneers from 45 states donated a gift, raising $631,205 in support of the institution.
What began ten years ago as a shared belief in collective action has grown into a defining tradition for the College. In 2016, alumni leaders in partnership with the College’s Office of Advancement helped launch the first Day of Giving, and year after year, the momentum has continued to build — not because of a single gift, but because thousands of Pioneers choose to invest in Marietta and its students. This milestone year embraced the movement of “10 Friends. 10 Gifts. 10 Years Strong,” reflecting what’s possible when alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends come together in support of Marietta College.
Participation once again powered the day. In turn, this year’s Day of Giving demonstrated the measurable impact of the Pioneer spirit in action. When the community surpassed 1,000 donations, the Trustee Challenge was unlocked. An additional $287,596 in collective leadership support from the Board of Trustees was activated, amplifying the impact of every contribution. Gifts of every size supported scholarship, academic programs, athletics and student experiences, strengthening opportunities for current and future students.
“The energy behind this year’s Day of Giving reflects exactly what makes Marietta College so distinctive,” said Branden Chambers, director of Annual Giving. “When our community comes together with shared purpose, participation becomes momentum and generosity becomes opportunity.”
Throughout the day, the Marietta community showed up in meaningful ways. Alumni reengaged with the College; students expressed gratitude, faculty and staff championed participation, and parents and friends stepped forward in support. Many embraced the 10.10.10 movement, inviting ten people from their Marietta journey to make a gift and share why they remain committed to investing in the College’s future.
The impact of Marietta College’s Day of Giving reaches far beyond the grand total. Gifts to The Marietta Fund provide flexible, immediate support that empowers student priorities, strengthens financial aid and athletics, and enhances experiential learning opportunities. This support ensures students continue to benefit from hands-on learning, personal mentorship and the close-knit community that defines Marietta College, while allowing the College to respond to emerging needs and strengthen the Marietta experience for today’s Pioneers and those who will follow.
“What makes our Day of Giving so meaningful is not just the dollars raised, but the stories, relationships, and shared pride behind every gift. It reminds us that philanthropy is ultimately about belief. It is belief in our students, in their potential, and in the responsibility we share to prepare them to lead in an ever-changing world,” said Chambers. “When donors choose to invest in Marietta, they are not only supporting today’s needs; they are shaping what this institution will become in its third century.”
From its founding by revolutionary thinkers to today’s Pioneers preparing for lives of purpose, Marietta College has always been shaped by those who step forward to support its future. The 10th Annual Day of Giving reflects that enduring spirit, a tradition built with intention, sustained with dedication, and moved forward by collective action.
The 2026 Day of Giving celebrates another milestone in the College’s nearly 200-year history — a powerful reminder that when Pioneers unite, the possibilities are limitless. Together, the Marietta community continues to expand the College’s impact and carry its legacy forward.
For more information about Day of Giving or to continue supporting Marietta College, visit marietta.edu/give.