On Dec. 3, the date of this year's Giving Tuesday, UC Merced will participate in the worldwide day of charitable giving by launching Give to UC Merced 2024. For the fifth year, the university's annual fundraising initiative will extend beyond its original 24-hour period to the entire month of December.
This year's goal is to raise $250,000 from 500 unique donors, up from last year's $200,000 target. Donations can be designated to a wide range of giving areas, including scholarships and fellowships; research and academics; athletics; medical education; alumni initiatives; the University Library; UC Merced Arts; equity, justice and inclusive excellence; social justice and identity programs; climate and sustainability; as well as the UC Merced Annual Fund, which is earmarked for the campus' greatest needs.
Additionally, there are several matches and challenges available. These opportunities incentivize donations by offering to match a gift dollar-per-dollar or by pledging an additional contribution if a goal is met, such as a challenge from UC Merced graduate Sam Wong '09 to his fellow alumni. Selecting a number signifying good luck in Chinese culture, Wong is challenging 88 other alums to make gifts of any size to undergraduate scholarships to unlock a $1,000 donation.
All money raised during this year's Give to UC Merced will count toward Boldy Forward, the university's first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $200 million by 2030.
"Our university's extended community supports UC Merced in countless ways, and Give to UC Merced is no exception," said Vice Chancellor for External Relations Ed Klotzbier. "In the past decade since we first launched Give to UC Merced, our friends and partners have contributed more than $4.3 million during the year-end fundraising effort. We are deeply grateful for this sustained outpouring of generosity and know the spirit of giving back to move UC Merced forward will continue."
To learn more about Give to UC Merced or to participate in the fundraising initiative, visit giveto.ucmerced.edu.
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