Adopt a Family

Community Relations partners with organizations throughout Western New York to nominate disadvantaged families for UB’s Adopt-a-Family program and matches them with campus departments interested in providing holiday support. The program continues to grow, with more than 50 departments participating in 2025.

• October 2026: UB departments are contacted to confirm participation and family nominations are solicited from community partners.
• October 31, 2026: Nominations due to Community Relations. 
• Over the first two weeks of November, nominating organizations will work to complete family wish lists for departments to use as a holiday shopping guide. 
• Week of November 16, 2026: Family matches will be sent to participating departments. 
• December 7 - 18, 2026: Community Relations will coordinate gift drop off and pick up. 

Departments are provided with wish lists from the family, as well the ages and genders of family members to guide them in their holiday shopping. Past gifts range from from toys for children, to clothes and needed household items.

UB offices and departments of any size are invited to adopt a family. We make sure to match departments with an appropriately sized family.

Community organizations and non-profits are encouraged to contact our office for our nomination form and more information.