Thank you for promoting Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge on Wednesday, March 4, 2026! Please use this toolkit to spread the word about the challenge and encourage giving to your program and to Rice.
Click the button above to access ready-made graphics for email messages, social media posts and more. If you prefer to create your own graphics, Canva links are included below for your convenience.
Key Talking Points
Here are a few essential talking points about the challenge to help you build excitement and inform your audience.
The Goal
When 7,000 donors make a gift of any size by March 4, Dr. Riva Rahl (’95, P’29) and two other generous alumni will donate a total of $850,000 to Rice!
The Impact
The 24-Hour Challenge isn’t just a day to give — it’s a day to amplify what's possible for students and faculty. When you talk about your fund, describe the specific need (more scholarships, technology, research opportunities) and lean into the real-world impact it creates. Describe how these resources expand access, accelerate discovery, build community and empower innovative teaching.
What Counts
Gifts from the entire Rice community — alumni, parents, faculty/staff, current students and friends — will count toward the 7,000-donor goal.
How to Give
All supporters can make a gift online through your unique tracking link* on March 4. In addition, there will be the following early giving opportunities:
- Beginning in early February, supporters can make an early gift through challenge.rice.edu.
- On February 25, the 24-Hour Challenge site will include individual fund pages. At this point, supporters can make early gifts through your fund’s page.
- Many supporters will receive a direct mail piece from the Annual Giving office in late January. Donors may mail in the gift form up to the day of the challenge or donate online at the link provided in the mail piece.
*IMPORTANT: Unique tracking links will be shared by February 11 via email with those who submitted funds to be included in the 2026 24-Hour Challenge. Using a unique tracking link helps us determine how many donations were driven by campus partner outreach. If you did not receive a unique tracking link or have any questions, please contact challenge@rice.edu.
Key Messages/Slogans
- The stakes have never been higher — with $850,000 in challenge funds, this is our biggest challenge ever!
- When 7,000 donors make a gift of any size by March 4, Dr. Riva Rahl (’95, P’29) and two other generous alumni will donate a total of $850,000 to Rice.
- Support the area of Rice that matters most to you, whether it’s scholarships, a residential college, or a program you hold dear. Each gift gets us closer to reaching our university-wide donor goal!
- Every member of the Rice community brings a distinct story, passion and spark. When we come together, we form a powerful mosaic that moves the university forward. One day, one Rice!
Gamification Opportunities
- Back by popular demand: Residential College Challenge
- Back by popular demand: Time-specific challenges (see below)
- New! Student organization competition
- New! Most-improved fund leaderboard
Timed challenges are back and bigger than ever! The fund with the most donors during these periods will earn additional bonus funds. All times in CST.
- Early Bird: February 25–March 3 at 6 p.m., $5,000 bonus
- Rice and Shine: March 4 from 12–8 a.m., $2,500 bonus
- Lightning Lunch: March 4 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., $2,500 bonus
- Hooty Hour: March 4 from 4–6 p.m., $2,500 bonus
- Owl's Well That Ends Well: March 4 from 9–11:59 p.m., $2,500 bonus
24-Hour Challenge Color Palette
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#00205B |
#0A3E9B |
#4D9AD4 |
#E45844 |
#ECD46F |
#6DA08E |
#F7EFDD |
Email Communications
Personalized emails are one of the most effective tools at your disposal to solicit donations. We suggest emailing your network to articulate reasons for giving to your specific fund and to illustrate the impact of the 24-Hour Challenge.
Tips:
- • Use the timebound challenges in the gamification section to plan your email outreach for maximum impact on March 4.
- • Use the button at the top of this page to download email graphics from Box. If you’d prefer to use a Canva template to create your own header, use the button below:
Sample Save the Date Email:
Subject: Save the date: Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge, March 4!
Send Date: Any time after Feb. 5, 2026
Dear [Insert Name],
The date and challenge are set for this year’s 24-Hour Challenge — are you ready to rally for [insert program]?
Wednesday, March 4
Add to Calendar
When 7,000 donors make a gift of any size by March 4, Dr. Riva Rahl (’95, P’29) and two other generous alumni will donate a total of $850,000 to Rice. It is Rice’s largest challenge ever!
Save the date, help us spread the word, and let’s go all in for [insert program].
Sample Pre-Challenge Early Giving Window:
Subject: The 24-Hour Challenge is [in 2 weeks/in 1 week/tomorrow]: support [insert designation/fund name]!
Send Date: Early giving window of Feb. 25 after 12pm, Feb 26-March 1, March 2 after 12pm, or March 3 before 12pm
Dear [Insert Name],
Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge is [in 2 weeks/in 1 week/tomorrow]! And [insert program] is issuing a challenge to our supporters:
This year, we aim to raise [insert dollar and/or participation goal] in support of [insert how your department will benefit]. Can we count you in?
Your gift brings us closer to our goal and helps Rice achieve the overall goal of 7,000 donors to unlock $850,000 in challenge funds. Help us achieve a strong start by making your gift early. Thank you for your support!
[Insert your name]
Attach your unique tracking link to the button above.
Sample Challenge Morning-Of Email:
Subject: Today is the day! Make your 24-Hour Challenge gift
Send Date: Wednesday, March 4, 8-9 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 4-6 p.m.
Dear [Insert Name],
We’re off to a fantastic start for the 24-Hour Challenge, but reaching [insert program]’s goal of [insert dollar and/or participation goal] will take all of us!
Today is our chance to come together as one community, stand in support of our Owls, and help sustain the programs and resources that make [insert program] exceptional. Plus, your gift will have an even bigger impact thanks to the many challenges and matches offered today.
Thank you for all you do to support [insert program]!
[Insert your name]
Attach your unique tracking link to the button above.
Sample Thank You Email:
Subject: Thank you for your generosity!
Send Date: Any time after March 6 (full gift data may take several days to be entered into OwlConnect)
Dear [Insert Name],
Thank you for your participation in this year’s 24-Hour Challenge! Your gift contributed to [insert dollars] raised in support of [insert program/how your department will benefit].
This extraordinary day of giving shows just how much we can achieve when we rally together. By joining forces, we make sure our students have the support they need and [insert program] continues to thrive. We’re truly thankful for your generosity and the energy you bring to Rice.
[Insert your name]
Spread the Word on Social Media
The 24-Hour Challenge is the perfect time to lean on social media to ramp up excitement. Two ways you can help:
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Follow Rice Giving on Facebook, Instagram and X and help us spread the word by re-sharing our content.
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Generate your own content. Please tag us (@RiceAnnualGiving on FB/IG, @RiceGiving on X) and use the hashtag #1Day1Rice to join the conversation.
Tips:
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Use the timebound challenges in the gamification section to plan your social outreach for maximum impact on March 4.
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Use the button at the top of this page to download social graphics from Box. If you’d prefer to use a Canva template to create your own graphics, use the buttons below:
Sample Save the Date Copy
The date for this year’s 24-Hour Challenge was just announced: Wednesday, March 4! Visit [insert tracking link] for more information about how you can support [insert program] on this extraordinary day of giving. #1Day1Rice
Sample Early Giving Copy
Early giving is now open for this year’s 24-Hour Challenge. Can [insert program] count on your support this year? Help us get a strong start by making your gift now: [insert tracking link]. #1Day1Rice
Sample Day of Challenge Copy
Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge is LIVE! Your gift will help [insert program] meet our goal of [insert goal/participation goal]! Make your gift now at [insert tracking link]. #1Day1Rice
Last call! Only X hours remain in Rice’s 24-Hour Challenge. Make your gift now at [insert tracking link] to be counted toward our goal of 7,000 donors for $850,000 in challenge funds. Thank you for supporting [insert program]! #1Day1Rice
Sample Thank You Copy
Rice’s picture wouldn’t be complete without you. Thank you for helping [insert program] raise [total amount raised] during the 24-Hour Challenge! Your donations help [insert impact about giving] and set our Owls up for success. #1Day1Rice
Email Signature
If you would like to use a 24-Hour Challenge branded email signature, you may download it using the button at the top of this page.
Instructions for Outlook
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Open an email draft. On the Message tab, click on the ‘Signature’ drop-down and then on ‘Signatures…’ then click ‘New’ to create a new signature.
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In the editing box, copy and paste your signature, then drag the 24-Hour Challenge graphic below it.
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Press ‘Save’ and then ‘OK.’
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions about this toolkit, please reach out to challenge@rice.edu. For all other 24-Hour Challenge questions, please contact giving@rice.edu.
Giving to Rice
Development & Alumni Relations
P.O. BOX 1892
Houston, Texas 77251-1892
Phone: 713-348-4991
Email: giving@rice.edu
