Philanthropy cords. Receive a cord by giving now.

The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gown on commencement day. The Philanthropy Cord is not only a physical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU, it more importantly supports a legacy that will last for future generations of WGU.

Graduates can receive a Philanthropy Cord by making a gift of $24 or more to WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. To make a donation, graduates can text “WGUCord” to 41-444 or visit this link.

All WGU Philanthropy Cord donations support WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. We are asking for $24 in honor of WGU’s 24th anniversary! 

If you are participating in a virtual commencement, your philanthropy cord will be mailed to you.

If your commencement is in-person, philanthropy cords can be picked up by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during grad check-in before commencement.

If your in-person commencement is canceled, your philanthropy cord will be mailed to you following the WGU Commencement team's official cancelation notice.

WGU founded WGU Advancement in 2018 as its official fundraising arm dedicated to attracting, allocating, and putting dollars to work so more students have access to an affordable, quality education. WGU Advancement’s operation is the next step in WGU’s ever-growing obsession with students’ success, and a way for the increasing number of WGU graduates, donors, and partners to pay it forward.

Thank you for your generous support! You can donate to the Fellow Night Owl Scholarship by texting “WGUGrad” to 41-444 or by visiting this link.