Giving has always been about connection—connecting people to causes, passions to purpose, and communities to the futures they want to build. On April 23, 2026, Central Washington University celebrated that spirit in a big way, marking the 10-year anniversary of its annual day of giving, #GiveCentral.

What began as a focused day to rally support has grown into a vibrant, campus-wide tradition. This year, 42 projects from across CWU, including academic departments, student programs, and campus initiatives, shared their stories and invited the community to invest in their impact.

At the heart of #GiveCentral this year was an in-person event at the Student Union and Recreation Center (SURC), where project leaders brought their missions to life through table displays, hands-on activities, and conversations. Students, community members, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors could explore everything from research initiatives to student-led organizations, each table offering a tangible glimpse into how support translates into opportunity.

While #GiveCentral has always been about philanthropy, this year’s event placed a new emphasis on something even more powerful: student participation.

Enter “Direct the Dollars,” an initiative designed to put philanthropy directly into students’ hands.

Supported by the CWU Alumni Association Board and the CWU Foundation Board, the program began with a shared commitment of $5,000—enough to empower 100 students with a $50 token they could allocate to the #GiveCentral project of their choice. But what happened next exceeded expectations.

Students lined up before the event even began, eager to take part. Within just 30 minutes, all 100 tokens had been claimed.

Recognizing the overwhelming enthusiasm, both boards decided to double their investment, contributing an additional $5,000 and opening the opportunity to another 100 students. The replenishing of the additional 100 tokens also saw immediate interest from students who were eager to take part and were quick to be handed out.

In total, 200 students participated with each one exploring the 42 projects, learning about campus needs, and ultimately directing real funds to a cause that resonated with them.

“The energy we saw from students was incredible,” said Senior Director of University Advancement Marketing and Communications Clay Scott. “Our boards didn’t hesitate to step up when they heard about that excitement. Their support didn’t just double the number of students who could participate, it amplified the overall impact and showed what’s possible when leadership believes in student engagement as much as donor support.”

The process was simple but meaningful. Students signed up for a token on the SURC patio then entered the event space where each project had a designated container. After learning about different initiatives, students physically placed their token into the project they felt most passionate about.

And students took that responsibility seriously.

"I liked that you got to take your time with it,” said one student participant. “You’re walking around, learning about what each project is working towards. When you found one that resonated, you had the opportunity to give your token to them. That personal connection felt way more meaningful than just being told where the money goes.”

Tokens were distributed across a wide range of projects, reflecting the diverse interests of CWU students. Among the top-supported initiatives were the CWU Mock Trial Team, the Music Department Historical Photo Installation, and Grow More Good, a project supporting the Wildcat Farm.

But beyond which projects rose to the top, the true success of “Direct the Dollars” was in how it reshaped the role of students in philanthropy.

Instead of simply being beneficiaries of giving, students became active participants and decision-makers who engaged with causes, asked questions, and felt ownership over the impact they created.

As #GiveCentral enters its second decade, this kind of engagement signals an exciting evolution. The day is no longer just about raising funds; it is about building a culture of giving where every member of the CWU community sees themselves as part of the story.