From April 21-26, Golden Flashes came together in remarkable ways to make an impact during Flashes Give Back Week, a weeklong initiative celebrating all the ways Flashes give back.
Join In
Alumni and friends volunteered where it mattered most - at Kent State University and in their communities. Through partnerships with campus and nonprofit organizations, Kent State offered 55 volunteer opportunities, plus volunteers had the option to create their own service project and show how they volunteer in their communities through Share Your Project.
Throughout the week, nearly 1,100 Golden Flashes in 35 states across the country volunteered for more than 3,600 hours, helping improve outdoor spaces, combat food insecurity, enhance literacy and support underserved communities by donating supplies and writing notes of encouragement. To get a closer look at this year’s volunteer projects, check out our 2025 Flashes Give Back Week photo album.
Give Back
On April 22, Kent State celebrated its official 24-hour Day of Giving. More than 700 alumni, friends, faculty and staff came together to raise $115,000 for the Kent State causes that matter most to them. The gifts received will benefit students and programs across the university’s eight-campus system.
The campaign featured a chance for donors to double their impact as gifts to any Kent State University Foundation fund were matched up to $250 per donor until the matching funds were exhausted. In appreciation of Flashes’ generosity, anyone who gave $50 or more to the campaign received an exclusive Kent State swag pack and donors to athletics funds received a limited-edition Play As One light-up bracelet.
Athletics teams also participated in the Green Lending Challenge: a $1,000 prize for the team with the most unique donors who gave $25 or more to the team’s enhancement fund courtesy of Green Lending, the exclusive mortgage partner of Kent State Athletics. The challenge culminated in a tie between Kent State Lacrosse and Kent State Soccer, and Green Lending doubled its initial gift, generously awarding $1,000 to each team.
Say Thanks
On Thursday, April 24, students, faculty and staff gathered on Risman Plaza to share their gratitude for the generous donors whose support has made Kent State the special place it is today. Flashes participated by filming thank you messages, writing poems or cards and voting in the student choice award. The CARES Basic Needs Student Fund, which helps support students by providing funding for essentials like food and shelter, received the most votes and won $1,000 from the Kent State University Foundation. A special gratitude video featuring members of our Golden Flashes family was also shared with current donors to thank them for supporting the Kent State causes closest to their hearts.
The week was a true celebration of the strength of our Kent State community and all we can accomplish when we give back together. Thank you to our Golden Flashes around the world who participated. One person can make a difference. Together, we make an impact!