Drawing support from more than 57,000 donors, the Campaign for UC Santa Cruz has surpassed its target of $300 million and is focusing on raising money for remaining priorities across campus in its final months. The campaign will close June 30.
“We are inviting everyone who cares about UC Santa Cruz to become a part of the campaign in the coming months,“ said Chancellor George Blumenthal. ”Important work all across campus is benefiting from the philanthropy of our friends and alumni.”
Among opportunities to support the campaign: Giving Day on March 8. The 24-hour online event is raising funds for more than 100 projects, many of them student-led.
The campaign is the university’s first campuswide effort to build a culture of giving in support of students, faculty, and campus programs. Launched in 2009 and publicly announced in fall 2013, the campaign has raised $311 million in gifts.
Achievements to date include more than $30 million for scholarships and fellowships, a college endowment and naming, rebuilding the historic Hay Barn into a home for environmental programs, establishing more than a dozen endowed faculty chairs, and launch of restoration of the Quarry Amphitheater.
“We are excited to see what additional progress we can make before we close the campaign,” said Keith Brant, vice chancellor for University Relations. “Initiatives in genomics, the renovation of the Science and Engineering Library and launching a new graduate program in coastal science and policy are among priority areas before the close. We hope everyone who has been considering a gift will seize the opportunity to become a part of this historic campaign and the future of our campus.”
Giving Day on March 8 is designed to give donors the opportunity to connect on a very personal level with students, who are leading many of the featured projects. Last year, $340,000 was raised for 60 projects on Giving Day.
“Increasingly, the campus is experiencing the very real benefit that comes from the generosity of those who feel connected to its mission and who care about its future,” said Brant. “There is no doubt that philanthropy will have a key role in our development going forward.”
- More about Giving Day 2017 at givingday.ucsc.edu
- More about the Campaign for UC Santa Cruz and making a gift is at campaign.ucsc.edu.
