McDonald Observatory

Who We Are

 McDonald Observatory was founded in 1939 under the dark night skies of the Davis Mountains in West Texas. As a research unit of The University of Texas at Austin, we are one of the world’s top-ranked research observatories, with strong capabilities in observations, instrument design, and undergraduate and graduate education. 

The Observatory is also a world leader in public education and outreach with our Frank N. Bash Visitors Center hosting over 80,000 visitors each year and providing programs for the public and K-12 audiences. Additionally, McDonald Observatory produces the longest running science show in the nation, StarDate radio, which reaches millions each week on over 300 radio stations across the country.



What We're Fundraising For

In a typical year, hundreds of students visit the Observatory for learning field experiences and even more connect with education staff through interactive videoconferences. We train thousands of teachers from Texas and beyond through hands-on workshops, which include the opportunity to meet and work with professional astronomers as they conduct their research. 

Unfortunately, COVID-19 forced us to cancel our in-person programs, but this has created an exciting opportunity for us to utilize livestream technology and reach an even larger audience! We expect to serve over 8,000 K-12 students in Texas and beyond through online videoconference experiences hosted by education staff at the Observatory. These programs provide a brief tour of the Observatory; live telescope observations of Venus or the Sun with specially equipped telescopes and cameras; guided exploration; and follow up discussion with students and staff. All online education programs will be offered free of charge to students everywhere.

Your 40 for Forty gift helps make all this possible, bringing the majesty of the night sky to children all over the country!



Your Impact

Your gift directly supports our virtual education programs. These can look like our teacher workshops or even a deep sky livestream hosted on YouTube! Using cutting edge technology, our staff guide viewers through some of the Universe’s most stunning celestial objects, all made possible by you. Nothing sparks the imagination more than the mysteries of the night sky! “My preschooler (3.5 yrs old) drew the Sun! I was amazed how curiosity notched up from the book he read. All in all, wonderful of you to serve your community and encourage future citizens to live well under one sky.”


Leaderboard
Surprise Sticker Challenge
SURPRISE! From 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Central you can help win up to $1,000 for your favorite area of UT, and all donors who give during this time will receive a cool UT sticker. The two colleges, schools, units and organizations who receive the greatest number of unique gifts will receive the following prizes: 1st place: $1,000 2nd place: $500
Rank Prize Department Gifts
1 $1,000 Texas Women's Rugby 73
2 $500 Texas Taekwondo 61
3 UT Sailing Team 52
4 Texas Orange Jackets 25
5 TX Votes 23
Ended
Leaderboard
University-Wide Leaderboard Dollars
College, school, unit, or organization with the highest amount of dollars raised will be shown on a leaderboard for bragging rights only
Rank University-Wide Leaderboard Dollars Raised
1 Dell Medical School $4,380,096.00
2 Cockrell School of Engineering $1,037,665.00
3 College of Liberal Arts $914,605.04
4 College of Pharmacy $660,020.00
5 Texas Exes $458,669.00
Ended
Success!
US State Challenge
Keep an eye on the main page’s donation heat map! The first donor from each state will win an additional $100 toward their designation. The donor’s residence state will be determined by the donor heat map function of the giving day website and the credit card billing address.March 30 at 6:00 AM CT until March 31 at 10:00 PM CT - $100 per state, $5,000 total
Completed
Leaderboard
Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units, and organizations that receive the greatest dollar amount on March 30 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250
Rank Prize Longhorn Lunch Special Challenge Raised
1 $1,500 College of Natural Sciences $7,925.00
2 $750 Texas Exes $7,035.00
3 $250 McCombs School of Business $2,530.00
4 Jackson School of Geosciences $2,525.00
5 School of Law $1,950.00
Ended
2
Match
Student Study Break Match
The first $2,500 in gifts made by currently enrolled UT students will receive a match. Any gift of $25 or less will be matched until the total to be awarded, $2,500, is exhausted. March 30 from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT – $2,500 match for gifts up to $25
$2,500 MATCHED
Completed
Leaderboard
All-Nighter Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts between March 30 from 8:00 PM – March 31, 7:00 AM CT will receive an additional award. 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250
Rank Prize Department Gifts
1 $1,500 Texas 4000 For Cancer 902
2 $750 Texas Women's Rugby 648
3 $250 Morgantina Excavations 231
4 Liberal Arts Council 128
5 Texas Water Ski 109
Ended
Success!
40 for Forty Video Contest
The college, school, unit, or organization that has the best video as decided by the 40 for Forty Committee included in their 40 for Forty application submitted by February 7, 2021, will receive an additional $1,000. The award designation will be determined by the receiving college, school, unit, or organization. Deadline: March 7 at 11:59 CT - $1,000 designation
Completed
2
Match
Faculty & Staff Big Give Match
The first $10,000 in gifts will receive a match between March 31 from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM CT. Gifts of any size will be matched until the total to be awarded, $10,000, is exhausted. March 31 from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM CT - $10,000 (no gift limit)
$10,000 MATCHED
Completed
$500
5,000th Gift Milestone Award
Liberal Arts Council is the winner of $500 for the 5,000 Gift Milestone Award.
4,007 / 4,007 Gifts
Completed
$500
7,000th Gift Milestone Award
Dean's Scholars Student Association is the winner of $500 for the 7,000 Gift Milestone Award.
6,007 / 6,007 Gifts
Completed
$500
9,000th Gift Milestone Award
UT Child Development Center San Jacinto is the winner of $500 for the 9,000 Gift Milestone Award.
8,007 / 8,007 Gifts
Completed
Success!
Faculty & Staff Pre-Campaign Match
Faculty & Staff Pre-Campaign Match – The first $10,000 in payroll deduction pledges, made by UT Austin faculty and staff, between February 1 – August 31 will be matched based upon amount pledge between the first day pledged and August 31, 2021. There is no maximum individual donation amount for this opportunity. Feb 1 – August 31 (until funds are exhausted) - $10,000 (no gift limit)
Completed
Leaderboard
University-Wide Leaderboard: Greatest Number of Gifts Received
College, school, unit, or organization with the greatest number of gifts will be shown on a leaderboard for bragging rights only.
Rank University-Wide Leaderboard 2 Gifts
1 Texas Women's Rugby 1,891
2 Texas 4000 For Cancer 1,570
3 Texas Orange Jackets 686
4 Morgantina Excavations 683
5 UT Child Development Center San Jacinto 307
Ended
Success!
International Challenge
The first donor from each continent will win an additional $250 toward their designation. Donor’s residence country will be determined by the donor heat map function of giving day website and the credit card billing address. March 30 at 6:00 AM CT until March 31 at 10:00 PM CT - $250 per continent, $1,750 total
Completed
Leaderboard
Kick Off Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts between March 30 from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM CT will receive an additional award. 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250
Rank Prize Kick Off Challenge Gifts
1 $1,500 Morgantina Excavations 62
2 $750 Texas 4000 For Cancer 54
3 $250 Steve Hicks School of Social Work 42
4 Texas Orange Jackets 41
5 TX Votes 14
Ended
Leaderboard
Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts between March 30 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CT will receive an additional award. 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250
Rank Prize Happy Horns Happy Hour Challenge Gifts
1 $1,500 Texas Orange Jackets 250
2 $750 Texas Women's Rugby 220
3 $250 Texas 4000 For Cancer 145
4 Texas Crew 76
5 Texas Trap and Skeet 51
Ended
Leaderboard
Hungry Bevo Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts on March 31 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT. 1st place - $1,500 2nd place - $750 3rd place - $250
Rank Prize Hungry Bevo Challenge Gifts
1 $1,500 Texas Women's Rugby 400
2 $750 UT Child Development Center San Jacinto 291
3 $250 Texas Orange Jackets 211
4 Texas 4000 For Cancer 127
5 Morgantina Excavations 122
Ended
2
Match
Longhorn Parent Lunch Match
The first $5,000 in gifts made within this period by parents of currently enrolled UT students will receive a match. Any gift of $250 or less will be matched until the total to be awarded, $5,000, is exhausted. Constituent classification will be determined by self-selection at check-out and will be verified by the 40 for Forty Committee. All awards will be tentative until constituent identity can be verified. March 31 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT – $5,000 match for gifts up to $250
$5,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
2021 Class Gift Match
All gifts made by newly graduated and current UT Austin underclassmen and graduate students scheduled to graduate in 2021 will be matched until the total to be awarded, $50,000, is exhausted.6 AM March 30 – 10 PM March 31 CT (until funds are exhausted) – $50,000 (no gift limit)
$34,788 MATCHED
Ended
Leaderboard
Final Countdown Challenge
The top 3 colleges, schools, units and organizations that receive the greatest number of gifts between March 30 from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM CT will receive an additional award. 1st place will receive $1,500 2nd place will receive $750 3rd place will receive $250
Rank Prize Final Countdown Challenge Gifts
1 $1,500 Texas Women's Rugby 276
2 $750 Texas Exes Chapters and Networks 103
3 $750 UT Sailing Team 103
4 Morgantina Excavations 92
5 Texas 4000 For Cancer 59
Ended
$500
6,000th Gift Milestone Award
Morgantina Excavations is the winner of $599 for the 6,000 Milestone Award.
5,007 / 5,007 Gifts
Completed
$500
8,000th Gift Gift Milestone Award
School Of Human Ecology is the winner of the 8,000 Gift Milestone Award.
7,007 / 7,007 Gifts
Completed
$1,000
10,000th Gift Milestone Award
Department of Psychology is the winner of $1,000 for the 10,000 Gift Milestone Award.
9,007 / 9,007 Gifts
Completed
Participating Groups
Advocacy & Social Causes Arts & Design Athletics & Sport Clubs Business & Entrepreneurship Colleges & Schools Communication & Media Departments & Programs Diverse Longhorn Leaders Education Humanities & Languages Medical & Healthcare Museums & Libraries Science, Technology & Engineering Student Organizations Student Support Texas Exes 2021 Class Gift
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Or you can contact us at annual.giving@austin.utexas.edu.

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