The UBC Okanagan Heat enjoyed an incredibly successful Giving Day on April 3, 2025, as the 10 Heat team funds raised close to $200,000 thanks to the generous donations of many tied to the Heat community.

In an incredible show of support, over 700 donors stepped up to raise $197,448 during the 24-hour fundraising event that featured funds for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, golf, cross country, men’s rugby, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, women’s softball, women’s volleyball and men’s volleyball.

That number meant that UBCO Heat Athletics finished as the top-ranked unit across all units participating in UBC Giving Day in both Vancouver and in the Okanagan.

All 10 UBCO Heat funds were able to take advantage of an incredibly generous gift from the Colin and Lois Pritchard Foundation who provided bonuses to every fund that raised over $3,000, as well as a matching challenge in honour of UBC Okanagan’s 20th Anniversary. As a result of this generosity, the Foundation contributed approximately $68,000 to the Heat’s total fundraising for the day.

“Thank you to all of our amazing donors who continue to support us on Giving Day,” said Nina Louis, a Women’s Soccer student-athlete, Heat Athlete Council Co-President and Director of Communications and Social Media. “Big or small, every donation is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in helping us thrive both athletically and academically. Your generosity allows us to have the best student-athlete experience possible, and we are so grateful!”

In total, four Heat teams finished with more than $20,000 raised, led by the men’s soccer team that finished as the top fundraiser at $28,756. Women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s basketball were the other teams to eclipse the $20,000 mark.