Golden State Today

The February session of Crowdfund UC Davis saw a record number of 39 projects, spearheaded by students, faculty, and staff. This initiative drew in over 1,045 donors, gathering a total of more than $109,346. Several notable achievements were reached during this period.

Among the highlights was a record number of projects fully funded, with 16 initiatives achieving or exceeding their fundraising objectives. Moreover, 21 projects benefited from match donations, which is a new feature of Crowdfund UC Davis designed to enhance donor involvement and impact. The introduction of a social wall, showcasing #CrowdfundUCDavis, facilitated community interaction and increased engagement.

These strides highlight the dedication of the UC Davis and UC Davis Health communities in supporting various initiatives across both campuses.

Some projects not only met their campaign goals but also exceeded them by reaching their stretch goals. These include "Help APRL Launch UC Davis' First Liquid Bi-Propellant Rocket!" with $4,475 raised, the UC Davis Alpine Ski and Snowboarding Club with $5,075, the Future STEM Educator Award securing $5,100, and the UC Davis Taekwondo Sports Club raising $2,000.

Other projects that successfully achieved their campaign objectives were the Black Family Day, Danzantes del Alma, the Three Wishes Project, Latinx Staff and Faculty Association, Davis Rewilding Society, Supporting the Undergraduate Research Center, Summer Health Institute for Nursing Exploration and Success (SHINES), Davis Racing Dragons, Cyclone RoboSub, HackDavis 2025, and the Global Community Emergency Fund.

Crowdfund UC Davis is held twice yearly, in October and February, and has accumulated over $985,200 from more than 7,800 donors since its inception in February 2020. Applications for the upcoming October cohort are open from March 27 to June 27 and can be accessed on the Crowdfund UC Davis website.

The Annual and Special Gifts Program within Development and Alumni Relations collaborates with Advancement Services to assess applications for Crowdfund UC Davis. They provide access to the Crowdfund UC Davis platform, along with training, weekly guidance, and some email support, although project teams are responsible for the marketing and networking efforts essential for fundraising success.