Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, October 19, 2026.— Through the second edition of the Giving Day, the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes campus aims to strengthen the culture of philanthropy and join forces in support of the Bonaterra Community and the Pan-American Talent Fund through an event that invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public to participate in causes that promote personal development and solidarity.
An initiative to strengthen the culture of philanthropy
Giving Day is an initiative that originated in the United States with the aim of promoting generosity and solidarity during a time of year marked by commercial campaigns and incentives to consume. The Universidad Panamericana adopted this model based on the experience of its sister university in Chile, the Universidad de los Andes, to encourage its community to get involved in social causes and strengthen a culture of philanthropy.
Ana Fernanda Navarro, M.A., an assistant in the Institutional Development department, explained that this initiative is carried out jointly across all three campuses of the Universidad Panamericana, although each campus determines the causes it wishes to support based on its own needs and projects.
In Aguascalientes, the first edition took place in November 2025 and exceeded the initial goal of 200,000 pesos, raising 260,000 pesos. This year, the university community will aim to raise 300,000 pesos for two initiatives: Comunidad Bonaterra and the Pan-American Talent Fund.
For his part, Israel Gallegos, M.A., director of Institutional Development, emphasized that the main purpose of this event is to promote a vision of generosity that goes beyond a financial contribution.
“Giving means dedicating our time and support to those most in need,” he said, noting that this initiative encourages members of the institution to share the best of themselves and to develop a greater awareness of the needs of others.
In this regard, Gallegos explained that resource management is a means to achieve a broader goal: strengthening social responsibility and solidarity with those in need of support. The intention is for those who participate in these initiatives to incorporate social commitment into their education and keep it in mind in their future decisions and projects.
Bonaterra Community: Opportunities for Family Growth
One of the causes supported by Giving Day 2026 is Comunidad Bonaterra, a project that has been working in eastern Aguascalientes for the past six years to contribute to the holistic development of children and their families.
Through workshops, educational activities, and opportunities for social interaction, the initiative aims to provide tools that promote decision-making, educational continuity, and the building of strong, close-knit families.
Lorenza Larios, M.A., director and founder of Comunidad Bonaterra, emphasized that contributions from the community make it possible to continue these activities and expand opportunities for those who participate in them.
“My team and I can only express our gratitude for the opportunity the university has given us to serve society, and as we take advantage of this Giving Day, I also want to thank you for your donations,” he said.
The project involves students from the Universidad Panamericana, as well as teachers, businesspeople, and others who volunteer their time. Their work helps create spaces for learning, social interaction, and support for families.
The results of this support are reflected in the experiences of the families who are part of the community. Lucía Balderas, a graduate of the Education program at the Universidad Panamericana , and a mother in the Bonaterra Community, learned about the project through the institution’s social media and decided to enroll her daughter in the children’s club.
Since then, she has noticed positive changes in her personal development and in her family life. She explained that her daughter, who used to be shy, has gained the confidence to express herself, share, and interact with others.
“Comunidad Bonaterra is a place that welcomes you, where you feel at ease, interact with others, and share ideas,” said Lucía Balderas, who also acknowledged that her participation has provided her with personal and professional growth.
On the other hand, for Regina, a 12-year-old member of the Bonaterra Community Girls' Club, one of the most valuable aspects of the project has been the opportunity to make new friends and discover activities that spark her interest.
“What I like most about Comunidad Bonaterra is that I’ve made friends here,” she said. Through the workshops, she explained, she has learned to get along with others, express herself, share, and help those who are joining for the first time.
These experiences show how support and community-based training can contribute to the development of social skills, self-confidence, and the strengthening of family bonds.
Pan American Talent Fund: Supporting Those Who Represent the University
The second beneficiary will be the Pan-American Talent Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting students who participate in international academic competitions and represent the University in disciplines such as law, engineering, business, and culinary management, among others.
According to the Institutional Development team, these students typically raise funds and seek sponsorships to cover the costs of their participation. Therefore, the fund aims to supplement their efforts and facilitate their preparation for and attendance at the competitions.
In his message regarding this initiative, Israel Gallegos emphasized the importance of supporting young people who represent the University on the international stage and who, through their knowledge and training, put into practice what they have learned during their education.
Volunteering as a Learning Experience
The impact of Comunidad Bonaterra also extends to the students who participate as volunteers, who see this service as an opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to use in helping others.
Fernanda Romo, an artificial intelligence engineering student, decided to join the project after hearing about the positive experiences of other volunteers. Her participation has allowed her to gain firsthand insight into the dynamics of the girls’ daily lives and to support them through different stages of their development.
He also explained that this experience contributes to his professional development, as it allows him to develop skills in getting along with others, handling complex situations, and regulating his emotions.
A Day to Bring People Together
To raise awareness of these causes among the university community and its partners, Giving Day features a variety of activities that allow people to participate and get involved in different ways.
Among these events are a fair featuring food and product sales to benefit the initiatives, a discussion to reflect on philanthropy, and a charity dinner where participants will share testimonials and updates on the day’s activities. In addition, this year will feature the sale of socks designed by students in the Innovation and Design Engineering program, the proceeds from which will also contribute to the two causes.
The variety of activities is designed to encourage participation from students, staff, alumni, suppliers, business leaders, and friends of the University, keeping in mind that generosity can take many forms: a donation, the purchase of a product, time spent volunteering, or a willingness to support a cause.
Giving Day: Solidarity That Reflects the University's Mission
Giving Day provides an opportunity to put values such as solidarity, generosity, social responsibility, and service into practice by connecting the university community with the specific needs of its surrounding community.
This initiative is aligned with the mission of the University of the West ( Universidad Panamericana ) to educate individuals who are committed to society and capable of putting their knowledge, talents, and resources at the service of others.
Through the Bonaterra Community, volunteer work, and the promotion of student talent, the event serves as a reminder that a well-rounded education is not limited to the academic sphere, but also involves recognizing the needs of others and taking action to contribute to their well-being.
