First Ascent West Virginia

First Ascent West Virginia is an innovative, place-based, talent retention program supporting recent graduates from West Virginia University and Marshall University. Donations support financial assistance to attract and retain the best and brightest minds in West Virginia to stay and work.

For too long, young West Virginians have been told they must leave home to build successful, fulfilling careers. As many as 61% of WVU and Marshall graduates leave West Virginia to find work, but the success of remote worker relocation programs, such as Ascend WV, has proven that people can build dynamic, high-growth careers, while enjoying the outdoor-rich, community-driven lifestyle that makes West Virginia special.  

First Ascent empowers emerging professionals to stay, work, and thrive in West Virginia through remote, hybrid, and in-state roles, as well as through entrepreneurship.  The program provides:

•    mentorship from established business and industry leaders

•    career services and job placement support

•    community building and networking events that foster connection and purpose

First Ascent allows access to outdoor programming that celebrates West Virginia’s natural beauty and provides flexible workspaces and resources designed for early career success.

Your donation to First Ascent West Virginia supports a powerful tool in attracting talented participants from around the country, as well as helping West Virginia’s best stay in our State and thrive!

Leaderboard
Most Gifts I
Are you ready for it? The top three participating groups with the most gifts between 12 and 1 a.m. will win additional funding.
Department (46)
Leaderboard
Amount Raised Leaderboard
Which participating group will raise the most during WVU Day of Giving? Make a gift to your favorite area of WVU to help keep your group at the top of the leaderboard! The top 30 groups will win additional funding.
Department (46)
Event
Day of Giving Social Prop Challenge
Take a photo or video with the Day of Giving flag prop (mailed as a Day of Giving Save the Date) and share on social using #WVUDayofGiving. We’ll select one of the best posts between March 16 and March 24 to receive an extra $500 for the unit tagged. To be eligible, users must make sure their privacy settings for the post are set to public.
Event
‘I Gave’ Challenge
After donating, tell others about your gift on social media using #WVUDayofGiving and #IGave. We will choose some of the most creative or inspiring posts to receive additional funding for the units tagged. To be eligible, users must make sure their privacy settings for the post are set to public.
Leaderboard
Participation Leaderboard
Which participating group will receive the most donations during WVU Day of Giving? Make a gift to your favorite area of WVU to help keep your group at the top of the leaderboard! The top 30 groups will win additional funding.
Department (46)
Event
Day of Giving Facebook Sharing Video Challenge
Help spread the word about WVU Day of Giving by sharing the promotional video from the @WVUFoundation Facebook account (posted on March 16). The top two participating groups that receive the most shares of the video from their page from March 16 through the end of the day on March 24 will win additional funding. • Specifically ask your followers to share the video from your page, encouraging them to help you win the first Day of Giving challenge
Event
WVU Gear Photo Challenge
On social, post a picture of yourself and/or your kid(s) in WVU gear and we’ll select some of the most creative to earn additional funding. Make sure to include #WVUDayofGiving and tag the specific unit you wish to support. To be eligible, users must make sure their privacy settings for the post are set to public.
Event
“Country Roads” Challenge
“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…” Record a video of yourself singing or performing “Country Roads” to help your favorite unit/program and we’ll select some of most creative to earn additional funding. Make sure to include #WVUDayofGiving and tag the specific unit you wish to support. To be eligible, users must make sure their privacy settings for the post are set to public.
Participating Groups
Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs Chambers College of Business & Economics College of Applied Human Sciences College of Creative Arts and Media College of Law Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Engage WVU Giving Circle First Ascent West Virginia First-Generation Initiatives Health Sciences Honors College Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab Office of Graduate Education and Life Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Rosenbaum Family House School of Dentistry School of Medicine School of Nursing School of Pharmacy School of Public Health Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources Student Life and Organizations Student Support Services/TRIO The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative Women's Leadership Initiative WVU Accessibility Services WVU Alumni Association WVU Athletics WVU Cancer Institute WVU Cheerleading WVU Department of Orthopaedics WVU Extension WVU Global Affairs WVU Libraries WVU Medicine WVU Medicine Golisano Children's WVU Potomac State College WVU Staff Council WVU Sustainable Landscapes Committee WVU Tech
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Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at dayofgiving@wvuf.org.