Help Support Critical Work of WSU Libraries by Donating during CougsGive 2026 April 15

CougsGive 2026, WSU’s annual day of giving in support of scholarships, research, programs, innovative learning, leadership development, student activities, and more, takes place on Wednesday, April 15. Last year, WSU Libraries tallied just over 30 gifts and hope to exceed that number this year.

According to Shane Johnson, the libraries’ development director, fundraising efforts in 2025 received a boost from a challenge to unlock a $35,000 anonymous gift with 20 donors. This year, the same donor will repeat the match, and more donor challenge gifts are planned, all to identify many new supporters.

“Designating your CougsGive gift to WSU Libraries on April 15 is a great way to ensure that your support impacts all WSU students, faculty, and even community members,” Johnson said. “We are proud to serve the entire Cougar community, and support from our donors makes this possible.”

Gifts to WSU Libraries can go even further by helping unlock challenge pledges from their donors totaling nearly $40,000 for CougsGive 2026, he added.

Need some gift ideas to help meet the libraries’ most pressing needs? Johnson suggests visiting the Friends of the Libraries website to learn about gift types, including annual, endowment, and ultimate giving.

The WSU Press Advancement Fund is also an excellent way to support the university’s academic press started in 1928, with the publication of Historical Sketch of the State College of Washington, 1890–1925, written by Enoch A. Bryan, Washington State College’s third president. Today, the press offers unique, focused stories of the people, places, and events representing the history and culture of the Northwest. It became part of the libraries in fall 2024.

Johnson encourages those interested in giving to the libraries to email him to schedule a chat or visit. “I am happy to share our fundraising priorities.”