Bama Blitz’s ‘The Crimson Countdown’ Set for April 15-17

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s annual Bama Blitz online fundraising campaign will call alumni and friends to the stage for The Crimson Countdown.

The eighth edition of this annual online fundraising event will kick off at noon April 15 and continue until noon April 17.

Bama Blitz encourages giving at any level while highlighting impactful funds and projects that might otherwise go unfunded, from scholarships and fellowships to experiential learning opportunities.

This year’s Bama Blitz features several inspiring, student-focused funds:

• The Alabama REACH Program Support Fund provides scholarships and other support for full-time undergraduate students from foster care backgrounds, legal orphans, those raised in kinship guardianship care and homeless students.
• The HES Experiential Learning Endowed Support Fund provides students with internships and field experiences that offer opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, learn from industry professionals, solve problems in real time and grow as leaders.
• The Student Life Support Fund enhances student well-being and development through service-learning opportunities, campuswide events like Ripple Effect, scholarships for Beyond Bama alternative spring break trips and internship stipends for students facing financial barriers.

Last year’s Bama Blitz raised more than $5 million from alumni and supporters. Since its inception, Bama Blitz has garnered more than 11,500 gifts. 

Participating in the Crimson Countdown challenges during Bama Blitz unlocks matching gifts, prizes and supports the future of the University and its students. For example, Bryant Bank will donate $50,000 if the campaign reaches 1,300 donors. Additionally, the opening sprint and early bird challenges unlock $1,500 in scholarship funding to the participating units with the most gifts in the first hour and from 5 to 6 a.m. April 16, respectively.

“Education remains one of the most powerful vehicles for positive change in our communities,” said Claude Edwards, president of Bryant Bank. “Funding these programs opens doors of opportunity for deserving students who will become tomorrow’s innovators, leaders and problem-solvers. We’re proud to partner with The University of Alabama in this important mission and encourage others to join us in making a difference through their own contributions.”

Gifts can be made through the Bama Blitz website, which provides live updates about fundraising totals for each fund and the total amount raised for the University.