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Each year, Auburn University celebrates Tiger Giving Day, a 24-hour online fundraising event dedicated to supporting projects that transform lives on campus, throughout local communities and beyond. Since its inception in 2015, the initiative has inspired more than 12,000 donors to fund over 360 life-changing projects, demonstrating the enduring spirit of generosity within the Auburn family.
Included among this year’s projects were four outreach programs that exemplify the university’s commitment to innovation, service and community engagement.
The Campus Kitchen at Auburn University (CKAU) raised $20,274 to enhance its food recovery and distribution operations. The funds enabled the purchase of food storage pans, packaging containers, and food-safe utensils, significantly expanding the program’s capacity to serve the Auburn-Opelika area.
CKAU combats food insecurity and reduces on-campus waste by collecting surplus food and redistributing it as nutritious meals. Led by a team of 110 dedicated student volunteers, the organization recovered more than 33,000 pounds of food and provided 30,000 meals through 19 community partners over the past academic year. Each week, hundreds of meals are delivered to Lee County residents and members of the Auburn community including students, faculty and staff no questions asked.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Auburn University raised $10,375 to support graduate students in sharing their research with an engaged audience of lifelong learners. Through this initiative, competitively selected students will teach non-credit courses in their respective fields to OLLI members, many of whom are retired professionals and academics.
OLLI provides enriching educational experiences for adults aged 50 and older through a wide range of courses, hands-on workshops, and social programs. The new teaching initiative benefits both graduate students—who gain valuable instructional experience—and OLLI participants, who enjoy intellectually stimulating content shown to reduce cognitive decline and promote social well-being.
Auburn University’s Rural Health Initiative (RHI) continues to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural Alabama. With $17,070 raised through Tiger Giving Day, RHI will fund student travel, medical supplies, and service-learning opportunities that enable Auburn students to collaborate directly with medical professionals in underserved communities.
Through this initiative, students gain invaluable firsthand experience while delivering essential health education and services. Their work strengthens the fabric of rural healthcare and reinforces Auburn’s land-grant mission of serving the state through outreach and applied learning.
The Young Professionals in Training (YPiT) program raised $4,500 to expand academic enrichment opportunities for students in grades 5–12. Funds will support field trips, college campus visits and professional workplace tours designed to expose young learners to higher education and diverse career pathways.
By broadening access to experiential learning, YPiT empowers youth to envision and pursue futures shaped by academic achievement and professional success.
From feeding families to fostering education and improving healthcare, Tiger Giving Day embodies Auburn University’s mission to create meaningful change through collective action and generosity.
