Faculty, staff and student teams are invited to apply to have their research, student support and public service projects included in the university’s next round of Crowdfund UC Davis, our online platform for grassroots fundraising.

Participating teams do the marketing and promotion for their own fundraising success, just like they would do on such platforms as GoFundMe and Kickstarter. However, unlike those outside vendors and others like them, Crowdfund UC Davis protects its teams from potential taxable income repercussions, because teams raise money for university projects through UC Davis, a nonprofit entity.

Crowdfund UC Davis runs two campaigns each academic year, in October and February, and has featured 222 projects since its inception in February 2020, raising a combined total of $1,849,849 from 9,032 gifts in eight rounds.

Projects that have seen the most success set funding goals between $1,000 and $5,000. Take the Davis Rewilding Society, for example: In the February 2023 campaign, the student group exceeded its initial goal of $2,500, then stretched it to $3,500 — and beat that, too.

While projects vary in purpose and scope, all must be affiliated with UC Davis or UC Davis Health, and seek to strengthen the positive impact of university programs.

“Crowdfund UC Davis’s growth in both popularity and giving is a testament to its transformative power for campus groups,” said Michelle Poesy, managing executive director of the Annual and Special Gifts Program, which manages Crowdfund UC Davis and Give Day, all under the umbrella of Development and Alumni Relations.

“Dollars raised through Crowdfund UC Davis have a real, direct impact on the participating groups, and I think our campus community and donors are noticing that,” she said.

Project applications undergo review to ensure the projects all have corresponding funds; scholarships have approval by Financial Aid and Scholarships; and all legal messaging requirements are met. Accepted project teams then gain access to the Crowdfund UC Davis platform, train in the key elements of fundraising success and can attend weekly office hour sessions for guidance.

Sierra Ronning is a communications external relations specialist in Development and Alumni Relations. She can be reached by email or at 530-752-2661.