Social Welfare raises over $43,600 on One Day One KU
LAWRENCE – The eighth annual One Day One KU set a new giving day record for the KU School of Social Welfare. On Feb. 20-21, 240 donors gave $24,171 to support social work students and education at KU. The School received an additional $19,500 in funds through participation challenges, bringing the total amount raised to $43,671.
Many of the 249 gifts to the KU School of Social Welfare will go toward a fund to support students in practicum. While some practicum placements are paid, many are not. Donations from One Day One KU will help offset the unseen costs of practicum and provide important financial relief for students.
Supporters also gave to the Dean's Opportunity Fund, which supports student scholars, the School's student emergency fund, and student-focused programs. In 2023-2024, the School of Social Welfare Emergency Fund provided over $51,000 in support to students, helping them overcome unexpected financial obstacles and stay enrolled in their social work programs.
Donors pledged $11,500 through eight matching gifts for this year’s event, adding to the impact of donations made to the School of Social Welfare during One Day One KU.
- Carol Rice Lightner Challenge for Social Welfare Practicum Support
- Elise Chapline Challenge for Social Welfare Practicum Support
- Kelli Carroll and David Ross Challenge for Social Welfare Practicum Support
- Kim Adams Social Welfare Student Practicum Support Challenge
- Eric & Kristie Sigler Challenge for Social Welfare Practicum Support
- Kelli Carroll and David Ross Challenge for Social Welfare Student Emergency Needs
- Social Welfare Student Emergency Needs Challenge
- Dean’s Challenge for Student Success
Gifts to the School of Social Welfare were part of a university-wide, 24-hour giving event that stretched from noon on Thursday, Feb. 20 to noon on Friday, Feb. 21. KU raised a total of $5,441,521 from 6,166 gifts during the event. Read more about the impact of the eighth annual One Day One KU.
Over eight years, donors have contributed over $125,000 to the School of Social Welfare through One Day One KU.
Make a gift to the KU School of Social Welfare.
Practicum student support
More than 170 gifts made during One Day One KU will support students in practicum. Practicum student support funds will help students cover costs such as gas and vehicle wear and tear; professional clothing; childcare; and professional development training.
The School’s Practicum Student Support Awards began in August 2024, supported by gifts during the 2024 One Day One KU day of giving. In the 2024-2025 academic year, 15 KU students in the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs received Practicum Student Support Awards.
Practicum sites include small and large nonprofits, hospitals and clinics, behavioral health centers, child welfare offices, residential settings, schools and other organizations. Learn more about practicum education at the KU School of Social Welfare.
Impact of practicum service to Kansas
During the 2023-2024 academic year, KU social work students contributed more than 145,000 service hours to the state of Kansas during their practicum placements. The economic value of those services hours to Kansas is estimated to be over $2.4 million.
Estimated monetary value is based on hours served, the living wage for the Kansas City metro area (BSW and MSW foundation year hours), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual wage for social workers (MSW specialization year hours).