How to Get Involved with Pay It Forward Day

From becoming a social media ambassador to sending words of gratitude and encouragement to the campus community, explore the expanded ways you can get involved and help spread the word about this year’s giving day.

The strength of the Brown community has long been a hallmark of who we are—ever true. On Pay It Forward Day, we will celebrate connection, gratitude, and our collective pride in Brown. 

There is a unique energy that defines the Brown community. It’s a spirit of care that stretches from our campus to our alumni and families across the globe. It’s found in the mentorship that changes a student’s trajectory and the shared pride of being part of something larger than ourselves. 

On April 28, that spirit takes center stage for Pay it Forward Day. It is a day to celebrate the friendships that became family, the courses that opened new worlds, and the enduring spirit that defines us.

We invite you to lean in, speak up, and help us show the world what the Brown community can do when we show up for one another. There are many ways to get involved with this Brown Annual Fund giving day—from sending a message to the campus community, sharing about the day with your network, or making a gift to the area at Brown that means the most to you.

This Year’s Pay It Forward Day

Date:Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Giving Day Page:go.brown.edu/forward2026
Hashtag:#forward4brown

Save the Date

Add to Your Calendar

We hope you’ll join us in paying it forward for Brown! Save the date for this year’s Pay It Forward Day.

Submit a Message to the Campus Community

For the first time, Pay It Forward Day bridges the distance between our global alumni network and the heart of campus in real time. Whether you are across the street or across an ocean, your voice will become part of the campus landscape.

On Pay It Forward Day, Brunonians everywhere can share notes of encouragement, advice, or gratitude. Join us in demonstrating the strength of our community with a message of your own! Messages will be displayed on the community message board on the Pay It Forward Day site and projected onto digital displays throughout Brown, greeting students and faculty as they walk to class and reminding them of the massive, caring network standing behind them.

You can submit your message on the Pay It Forward Day site, which will be live on April 14!

Join Bearshare

Become a BearShare ambassador! BearShare is a network of volunteers who share Brown news and stories using their personal social media accounts to help us reach alumni and donors who aren’t tapped into the University’s newsfeed. Though they do this year round, the impact of these social media ambassadors is even more pronounced around our giving days.

Those who join BearShare ahead of Pay it Forward Day will earn points for recruiting friends and sharing posts on their social media accounts. These points will work towards entries to our  sweepstakes, so the more you share, the more likely you are to win great prizes throughout the year!

Join Bearshare

Become a Brown Annual Fund Volunteer

Help others deepen their connection to Brown—and strengthen your own—by becoming an Annual Fund volunteer.

Peer-to-peer advocacy is the engine of Brown's annual giving program, and our giving days would not be possible without it. By serving as an annual giving volunteer, you amplify the impact of your philanthropic investment by asking your friends, classmates, fellow alumni, students, and/or family to join you in supporting annual, current-use giving to the University.

How to become a volunteer

Visit the Brown Annual Fund volunteers page to learn more about the committees and get involved.

Brown Annual Fund Volunteers page

Make a Gift on April 28

At the heart of Pay it Forward Day is a $1 million matching challenge that will create a massive impact for today’s students! When we pull in the same direction, we unlock vital resources for the Brown Annual Fund, fueling the financial aid, research opportunities, and student life programs that make the Brown experience extraordinary.

Make your gift to the Brown Annual Fund in celebration of a person, course, or experience at Brown that is meaningful to you! Visit the Pay It Forward Day site on April 28 to make your gift.

Pay It Forward Day Site