You’re Leading the Flock!
Welcome, early birds! Every year, in honor of one of the most memorable UW pranks ever pulled, we fill Bascom Hill with as many pink lawn flamingos as we can. Each gift made in support of the university during Fill the Hill adds to our “fla-mazing” flock. As one of UW–Madison’s most spirited supporters, you are invited to start the party early!
With more than 100 areas to support across campus, choose a cause that makes your heart squawk — er, sing. Sneak your gift in early and help ensure that UW–Madison remains a world leader of education, research, and innovation for generations to come.
There are so many ways to get involved! Learn more about the goofy history of Fill the Hill below. Then, check out the wall of donor names on our digital Bascom Hill and the many other fun flamingo activities happening on campus. Want to take the flamingo festivities to the next level? When you give $350 or more, we’ll send you a commemorative plastic lawn flamingo of your own!
Fuel Campus Initiatives
Support Schools and Colleges
Boost Student Experiences and Initiatives
The Hilarious History of Fill the Hill
As the 1979–80 school year was about to begin, members of the now-famous Pail and Shovel Party came up with an idea: to welcome incoming students (and give them a preview of the silly side of college life) with a sea of 1,008 pink plastic flamingos on Bascom Hill. Why 1,008? Because they wanted to say they put out “more than a thousand” and the flamingos only came in packs of 12.
In 2023, former Pail and Shovel president Jim Mallon ’79 and party member Stu Baker ’80 shared the story of how that absurd idea led to an iconic moment that is re-created every year with the Fill the Hill event, sponsored by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA).