Fundraiser brings in more than $800,000, helps UW-Madison with its greatest needs
MADISON, WI (October 2, 2026) — Donors set another new record during the 14th Fill the Hill fundraising event, sponsored by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).
The beloved tradition saw plastic flamingos dotting Bascom Hill, with the birds representing donor gifts to support the University of Wisconsin–Madison's most pressing needs. This year's campaign, which concluded at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, engaged more than 100 campus areas and secured a preliminary total of $835,059 through 5366 individual gifts. That breaks last year’s record of $784,687 through 4,610 individual gifts.
"Fill the Hill shows what happens when Badger alumni and friends come together around a shared purpose," said Betsy Popelka Massnick, WFAA Director of Annual Giving. "Every flamingo on Bascom Hill stands for a gift from someone who believes in this university, and together those gifts will open doors for students, support research, and strengthen programs across campus."
Since its inception, Fill the Hill has raised about $6 million through more than 30,000 gifts, demonstrating the enduring commitment of the UW–Madison community to supporting educational excellence.
For more information about Fill the Hill, visit uwflamingos.com.
