The Giving Tree application is open until the end of the day on Friday, November 13, 2026.
During the holiday season (November - December), office locations on campus will host a tree with special ornaments that can be selected. These ornaments represent families requesting assistance, and each ornament will contain a gift wish for a child, youth, or an adult belonging to one of the families. Early in November, an online application and paper forms will be made available for those who need assistance during the holiday season. Emails will be sent out announcing the beginning of the application process.
The Giving Tree is intended for eligible USI employees and currently enrolled students experiencing financial hardship that may make providing holiday gifts difficult.
The applicant must be a current USI employee or currently enrolled USI student. Part-time, non-benefit eligible employees are welcome to apply.
The applicant must be applying for an eligible dependent age 18 or younger and resides in the applicant's household.
Dependents must still be in high school or a lower grade level.
The applicant must have legal responsibility for the dependent(s).
All applications are verified for eligibility by one Staff Council representative and one Human Resource representative.
Questions about eligibility or the application may be directed to staff.council@usi.edu
USI retirees.
Applicants who have received gift assistance from the USI Giving Tree during each of the previous 3 consecutive years.
Applicants receiving holiday gift assistance for the same dependent through another comparable program.
Dependents that do not legally reside within the residence of the applicant.
Dependents who have graduated from high school, even if they are age 18.
For special considerations, please email staff.council@usi.edu
For approved applications, each eligible dependent may receive:
Up to 3 clothing items
Up to 2 additional gifts (no electronics or video games)
Each requested item must cost $35.00 or less.
Approved households may request one additional household or personal-needs item valued at $35 or less. This request may include a personal item for the applicant, household essentials, or non-perishable grocery items.
Staff Council hopes to provide assistance to as many eligible USI families as possible. However, if the number of eligible applications exceeds the resources available for the Giving Tree, assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis based on when a completed application is received.
Submission of an application does not guarantee participation in the Giving Tree or fulfillment of all requested items.
Updates for 2026 coming soon!
The Giving Trees are in placed at the following locations and are decorated with gift request ornaments, including special requests for international students staying on campus over break.
College of Liberal Arts Dean's Office
Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean's Office
Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Dean's Office
Romain College of Business Dean's Office
Registrar's Office
David L. Rice Library
Staff Council invites you to please take an ornament or make a charitable gift to the Giving Tree to help brighten the winter holiday season for a USI family. After taking an ornament from a tree, purchase the requested item and wrap it. Attach the ornament securely to the wrapped gift and return it to the office it was taken from by Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Thank you for your support!
Your charitable gift to the Giving Tree can be made through the USI Foundation and will be used for the items requested in the Giving Tree Program.
Make your gift online at Staff Council - Giving Tree or by check made payable to the USI Foundation by Wednesday, December 10, 2025. (Checks can be mailed to the USI Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN, 47712.)
The Giving Tree originally began as an outreach of Student Affairs. While brainstorming at a Student Affairs Retreat, Dr. John Byrd, former vice president for Student Affairs, asked for ideas that their division could implement for the University community. Donna Moore, Chris Jones, and Pam Hopson formed the idea of a giving tree for students and/or staff in need. Student Affairs agreed to purchase four artificial trees to be placed around campus.
Staff Council began sponsoring this yearly mission in 2001 and developed the criteria for eligibility. There were 34 individual people who received gifts in the first year. Since its inception in 2001, an average of 20 to 25 families receive assistance each year, with 60+ children receiving gifts of clothing and toys.
