ECU’s pirate mascot stands beside a large yellow block structure in the shape of the number ten in a bright campus lobby with tables, seating, and tall windows in the background.

Tenth Pirate Nation Gives raises historic $12 million

Published Jul 27, 2026 by
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East Carolina University’s 10th annual Pirate Nation Gives raised more than $12.2 million for the institution — the most in event history.

More than 2,800 donors gave during the 24-hour fundraising effort on March 4, setting a milestone annual day of giving.

Giving was led by ECU alumni, who represented 30% of the day’s donors. More than 700 donors gave for the first time. Twenty-five percent of donors were students. Faculty and staff represented 22% of the day’s donors.

Person seated at a table writing on a card next to a Pirate Nation Gives display sign in a campus common area.

Physician assistant studies student Adanna Iloabachie writes a thank-you note to Pirate Nation Gives donors during the March 4 day of giving. (Photo by Ben Abel)

“Pirate Nation showed what is possible when we all come together with purpose. The future of the university is stronger because of the tremendous support we have received during this milestone fundraising event,” Chancellor Philip Rogers said. “The incredible generosity of Pirates strengthens scholarships, fuels innovation and creates opportunity for our students to succeed.”

More than 90 individuals, families and organizations led giving efforts as PNG champions, pledging support of $5,000 or more and making donations ahead of the event.

Ten notable public gifts this year include the following:

  • The Harold H. Bate Foundation donated $858,000 in honor of long-term ECU donor Harold H. Bate and supporting Bate programs, including Access Scholarships, Service Days, the Student Retention Fund, the Learning Assistants Program, the Chancellor’s Excellence Fund and the ECU Athletics Purple and Gold fund.
  • The Bryan Family, whose $600,000 gift supports the Bryan Honors College Student Enrichment Fund in the ECU Honors College.
  • Frank Byungura, whose $500,000 gift supports the Studio 925 Pirate Media 1 Priority Fund.
  • Dr. Mary Katherine Lawrence Family Foundation, whose $175,000 gift supports the Lawrence & Klose Scholarship in the Brody School of Medicine.
  • Sean ’92 and Andrea Smith, whose gift of $105,000 supports the Blacksail Fund within the College of Business and the Smith Family Scholarship in Entrepreneurship.
  • Tom Franklin, whose $43,655 gift honors his late wife, Annie Franklin.
  • Rodney Blacknall ’86, whose gift of $41,250 supports the Blacknall Family Chancellor’s Scholar Endowment.
  • T.A. Loving Foundation, whose $28,550 gift supports the T.A. Loving Scholarship for Construction Management in the College of Engineering and Technology.
  • Corin Lindsay ’08 ’10, whose $20,000 gift supports both Lindsay Family Chancellor’s Scholar Funds.
  • The Gorall Family, whose $10,000 gift supports the ECU Community School Priority Fund.

The Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative is a top priority of ECU, and support for the ECU Foundation Board Chancellor’s Scholars Endowment surpassed its donor goal with 37 gifts raising more than $19,000 and unlocking $31,250 in additional gifts.

The College of Business led the day in donor support with 407 donors raising $1,845,300. Support for the ECU Health Foundation was strong with gifts supporting the new Brody Center for Medical Education helping to drive their leaderboard activities at $2,383,317.

More information about the ways to give to ECU is at Pirate Nation Gives.