Student Experience
Inside Spring Give 2025
Spring Give brought together 94 project teams and the broader UC Santa Cruz community for 11 days of collective support for student success.
Students walk on the UCSC campus during Spring.
The Spring Give—an 11 day fundraising campaign— wrapped up on Tuesday, May 20, with over $140,000 raised by over 1750 donors. All funds raised during Spring Give directly benefit University of California Santa Cruz students and the organizations they participate in.
Ninety-four project teams participated in the 2025 Spring Give campaign, and every team received at least one donation. The campaign puts fundraising directly in the hands of those it benefits most, empowering project teams to take the lead in reaching out to their personal connections and communities. Spring Give is a student- and program-driven effort that showcases the power of collective support across UC Santa Cruz.
“Spring Give is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when the UC Santa Cruz community comes together,” said Jenna Hurley (Cowell ’13, psychology), director of annual giving and primary organizer of Spring Give. “Over 11 days, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends rally to support programs and resources that directly benefit students. Every gift helps ensure our students have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed—both on campus and beyond.”
A series of daily and campaign-long challenges encouraged friendly competition and energized teams to rally their communities during the Spring Give. Challenges included rewards for the team with the most unique donors throughout the campaign, and time based challenges at the kick-off and close-out of the event.
The Aaron and Elizabeth Waters Student Research Fund raised nearly $11,000. The funds will support graduate students in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, empowering them to conduct impactful research and pursue transformative professional development opportunities.
Keenan Hassell, a Ph.D. candidate and 2022 Waters Award recipient, emphasized the impact that the scholarship had on their research.
“The financial support provided by the Waters Award enabled me to conduct fieldwork in Southern California and India,” Hassell said in a testimony for the scholarship’s project page. Without the rock samples I collected on these trips, two of my projects would not have been possible.”
Sol Womxn’s Ultimate Frisbee had the most individual donor support throughout Spring Give with 218 donors. The womens and non-binary inclusive team raised nearly $9,000 to cover the costs of travel, lodging, and tournament costs associated with competing in the Ultimate D-1 College Championships in Burlington, Washington.
“We are so grateful for your love and support,” the team expressed to donors on their project page. “We wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals without you!”
Spring Give 2025 demonstrated the strength and generosity of the UC Santa Cruz community in supporting student success.
“Every gift made during Spring Give helps create meaningful opportunities that transform student lives and strengthen our entire UC Santa Cruz community,” Hurley said. “Thank you for your continued support.”