Rebels Give, UNLV’s beloved crowdfunding tradition, is back on Thursday, March 12, rallying the Rebel community for 24 hours of intense fundraising.
The annual giving day is a celebration of generosity, with money raised going to support student scholarships and programs across campus. Since 2018, Rebels Give has inspired more than 13,000 gifts totaling more than $3.2 million.
Alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends are invited to come together for their favorite UNLV causes. With hundreds of funds available, donors can support everything from scholarships and student wellness to research, athletics, and more. Every dollar counts and will create opportunities for current and future Rebels.
“Rebels Give is a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together in support of our students,” says Arianne Yago-Kippen, director of annual giving at UNLV. “The generosity of our alumni, faculty, staff, and friends creates meaningful opportunities for students at UNLV and strengthens the programs that help them succeed. We are grateful for the continued support that helps move our university and our students forward.”
Throughout the day, supporters can watch the dollars add up and track the friendly leaderboard competitions on the Rebels Give website.
Campus Leaders Step Up for Pie on Pida
The day’s most anticipated tradition, Pie on Pida, returns for its fourth year as the anchor celebration of Rebels Give. The popular pie-a-Rebel fundraiser also features entertainment, swag giveaways, and more. Students, faculty, and staff can join the festivities at Valerie Pida Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 12.
Last year’s Pie on Pida fundraising champion, Kivanc Oner, vice president for digital transformation and chief information officer, will return to defend his messy crown.
During the event, members of the campus community can donate money for the opportunity to toss a shaving cream pie at faculty, staff, and campus leaders. This year’s brave lineup of pie recipients includes Interim President Chris Heavey, deans David Cárdenas (Hospitality), Shawn Gerstenberger (Public Health), and Anjala Krishen (Business), as well as CSUN President Kelechi Odunze.
Whether cheering from the crowd or stepping up to throw a pie, the event is a fun way for the campus community to support Rebels Give and show their Rebel spirit.
Rubber Duck Hunt Connects Students to Alumni
As part of the Rebels Give festivities, the UNLV Alumni Association is sponsoring a rubber duck hunt to guide students to locations that alumni commonly share as their “favorite spots on campus.” Fifteen rubber ducks will be hidden across campus on March 12, with clues to their locations shared on the Alumni Association’s Instagram stories. The first five students to find a duck can select a UNLV cause to support with a $100 donation from the Alumni Association.
Rebels Give Goes Live
Supporters on and off campus can follow the excitement through the student-hosted Rebels Give livestream, which will feature segments highlighting UNLV programs and the philanthropic impact from the annual crowdfunding event.
The first-ever livestream is a creative partnership with the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies. The production gives journalism and media studies students hands-on experience in media production, interviewing, and live reporting while sharing the Rebels Give energy with a broader audience.
The three-hour stream will kick off at approximately 11:20 a.m. on March 12, with live coverage from Pie on Pida on UNLV’s YouTube channel and the UNLV Alumni Association’s Facebook page.
Community Partnerships
Looking for your next lunch or dinner outing? From March 9-12, California Pizza Kitchen will donate 20% of all dine-in and carryout orders at its Town Square and Downtown Summerlin locations to Rebels Give. Simply mention UNLV to your server, or use the code BACK20% when ordering online.
Additional local businesses supporting Rebels Give include Costa Vida, Abel’s Bagels, and DoLife. The latter was founded by alumna Molle Miller ('21).
Influencers Spread the Message
The social media influencer program is another key component of this year's Rebels Give event, giving all who love UNLV another way to support the university. UNLV’s ambassadors — aka influencers — are invited to share the campaign with their networks via a custom giving link.
This year, the influencer who racks up the most donations will win a pair of Vegas Golden Knights tickets for "UNLV Knight" on April 2, bringing another level of competition to the day’s fundraising.
Sign up now to join the community of Rebel influencers promoting Rebels Give and motivating others to give back!
One Day. One Big Impact.
Since its launch, Rebels Give has inspired thousands of donors to rally together in support of UNLV’s campus community. Every generous gift, no matter the size, helps expand opportunities for Rebels to learn, lead, and succeed.
Join the Rebel community on March 12 and support the UNLV programs that mean the most to you.
