CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The MIT Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER) received gifts from 3,819 donors totaling $989,630 during MIT's annual 24-Hour Challenge on March 12, 2026, marking the highest donor and dollar totals in the history of DAPER's challenge during the MIT 24-Hour Challenge.

"I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone within the DAPER community and beyond who supported this year's record-breaking 24-Hour Challenge," said Dr. G. Anthony Grant, Director of Athletics and DAPER Department Head. "The overwhelming generosity of our donors—including our micro-challenge supporters—plays a critical role in providing the resources that enhance the experience for all of our students. I am also deeply grateful to our coaches, DAPER staff, alumni ambassadors, student-athlete ambassadors, advisory board, team parent groups, and our annual leadership and resource development staff for their tireless outreach and commitment to this effort."

Gifts to DAPER totaled nearly 38% of the 10,071 gifts to MIT during the 24-hour Challenge, as MIT raised $5.65M – also the highest donor count and dollar totals in the history of the 24-Hour Challenge. Overall, donors to the MIT 24-Hour Challenge came from all 50 states and over 93 countries around the world.

DAPER secured gifts totaling $140,000 from Richard '66 and Patricia Lucy, Randy Hyun '95 and Jae Yi, and the parents of an MIT DAPER alumna as part of a department wide challenge, while 21 different programs also surpassed their donor challenge goals, including the crew programs, sailing program, cross country and track and field program, fencing programs, swimming and diving programs, and women's tennis who each saw more than 200 donors show support.

DAPER serves the entire MIT community, offering opportunities for sports instruction and participation at all levels. With 33 varsity sports and over 800 student athletes, DAPER supports one of the most competitive, most successful, and broadest intercollegiate athletic programs in the world as well as one of the nation's most expansive club sports programs, with more than 2,000 participants and 34 sports that compete on the regional and national stage.

Each quarter, DAPER offers more than 50 sections and more than 25 types of instructional activity courses. As part of the General Institute Requirements (GIRs), every MIT student must earn eight points through courses and complete the swim test requirement. In addition, the intramural program offers competition in 18 sports, with nearly 4,700 participants from the MIT community.

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