Posts Tagged: Development and Gifts

Donors show strong support for UC ANR in 2021

Nearly $125,000 was donated for UC Cooperative Extension and the statewide programs, institutes and research centers that make up UC Agriculture and Natural Resources on GivingTuesday 2021, a globally recognized day of generosity,

“Our giving days are a small, but very important piece of UC ANR's annual fundraising,” said Greg Gibbs, executive director of Development Services. “In the last three months alone, we received two of the largest single gift pledges in our history – totaling $4.8 million to support research and extension.”

For GivingTuesday, on Nov. 30 this year, $40,000 was offered to incentivize giving to UC ANR projects and programs. This included $20,000 in matching funds provided by the California 4-H Foundation and donations from 4-H Foundation Board members designated for the 4-H program. It also included $20,000 awarded for programs that met challenges such as attracting the greatest number of unique donors on GivingTuesday. The prizes were drawn from funds raised throughout the year for UC ANR's Incentive Fund, which is used to encourage giving to all ANR programs.

Some donors left messages about why they support the programs, which collectively reach every county in California: 

• “It's not always about what you have or get...it's more about what you give.” – Orange County
• “UCCE brings so much news we can use to the county. Thank you for all you do!” – Glenn County
• “4-H really helped me be a responsible person growing up. I am paying it forward. Thank you to all the adults who donate their time year after year.” – Sonoma County
• “Thank you for all your educational efforts to increase agricultural and native plant literacy!” – Ventura County
• “The 4-H Program helped our daughters develop their communication, leadership, citizenship, new skills and make lifetime friendships with others with the same passion. Our granddaughter enjoys it, too!” – Fresno County
• “UC ANR Elkus Ranch has been a foundational resource for my growing child and many children in the area. Thank you for this important work!” – Bay Area
• “Your work supports our business – flower farming in a way that works with nature. Thank you!” – UC Integrated Pest Management Program supporter
• “Thanks for keeping food safe and safely preserved.” – UC Master Food Preserver supporter

Examples of specific 4-H youth development projects made possible by the GivingTuesday donations include robotics in Placer County and leadership development, sheep and goat projects in Alameda County. 

The UC Master Gardener Program will use the funds to develop a demonstration garden in San Luis Obispo County, the Sherwood Demonstration Garden in the Central Sierra, a sensory and pollinator garden in Stanislaus County and gardening projects in other parts of the state.

“These donations reflect donors' appreciation for UC ANR's work in their communities and we are so grateful for their support,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

GivingTuesday is only one of many fundraising activities UC ANR conducts throughout the year.

To learn about other ways to contribute, visit https://donate.ucanr.edu.

UC ANR supporters give over $85,000 on #GivingTuesday

Thanks to everyone who participated, UC ANR's #GivingTuesday campaign was a tremendous success.

“We surpassed our goal of $60,000, raising $85,168,” said Mary Maffly Ciricillo, director of Annual Giving and Individual Gifts. “This is close to a 24 percent increase over last year's Giving Tuesday total of $68,322.”

As an added incentive to potential donors, ANR received over $37,000 in donations toward match challenge funds supporting all of UC ANR programs.

The California 4-H Foundation alone brought in over $32,000. Compared to 2016, there was a 250 percent increase in giving to UC ANR programs – including Master Gardeners, Master Food Preservers, IPM, the REC System, and county offices – totaling over $15,000.

The number of gifts received also rose, from 224 gifts in 2016 to 318 gifts this year. “We even received a gift designated to urban horticulture!” Ciricillo said.

In addition to raising money, the #GivingTuesday social media campaign helped raise the visibility of ANR programs and awareness that programs such as the 4-H Youth Development Program are part of the University of California.

The UC Master Gardener Program team made a video of the unselfies posted on social media by their supporters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI_tVcNhBcQ.

“We appreciate everyone's cooperation in this fundraising effort and hope we can continue to build on our success for the next #GivingTuesday,” Ciricillo said. “These private funds will help us expand UC ANR's reach.”

Below is a list of funds that donors selected to receive their Giving Tuesday gifts:

• 4-H Foundation UC Donor Funds
• 4-H Undesignated
• Alameda County Master Gardener Fund (Endow)
• Alameda County UCCE - Master Gardeners
• ANR - California Naturalist Scholarship Fund
• ANR - Giving Tuesday Match Fund
• ANR - Master Food Preservers Fund
• ANR - Master Gardener Annual Giving Fund
• ANR Informatics and GIS Fund
• California Institute for Water Resources
• Central Sierra - UCCE
• Colusa County UCCE - Master Gardener Program
• Contra Costa County UCCE Fund
• Desert Research and Extension Center FARM SMART Fund
• El Dorado County UCCE - Master Gardeners
• El Dorado County UCCE - Rangeland Fund
• Elkus Ranch Fund
• Fresno County UCCE
• Hopland REC Fund
• Integrated Pest Management Program Fund
• Kern County - 4-H Program 
• Kearney Research and Extension Center Fund
• Los Angeles County UCCE - Master Gardeners
• Los Angeles County UCCE Fund
• Lindcove Research and Extension Center
• Marin Master Gardeners Opportunity Fund
• Merced County Agriculture Extension and Research Endowment
• Merced County UCCE - Master Gardener Fund
• Nutrition Policy Institute General Fund
• Orange County UCCE - Master Food Preserver Fund
• Orange County UCCE Fund
• Plumas County UCCE - Project Learning Tree
• Research and Extension Center System
• Riverside County UCCE - Master Gardeners
• Sacramento County UCCE - Master Gardener Fund
• San Joaquin County UCCE - Master Gardener Fund
• San Mateo County - 4-H Program 
• San Mateo County UCCE - Master Gardener Greenhouse
• San Mateo County UCCE Fund
• San Mateo/San Francisco UCCE - Master Gardener Fund
• San Mateo/SF UCCE - Master Food Preserver
• Santa Barbara County 4-H
• Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center Fund
• Sonoma County UCCE - Citizen Science Projects
• Statewide Master Gardener Endowment Fund
• Statewide Program - Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences Program
• Sutter-Yuba Counties UCCE - Master Gardeners
• UC California Naturalist Program
• UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County
• Urban Horticulture
• Ventura County Master Gardeners
• Ventura County UCCE - Master Gardener Fund
• Ventura County UCCE Fund

UC ANR encourages posting unselfies for #GivingTuesday Nov. 28

On Nov. 28, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources will participate in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving powered by our social networks. Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season.

Although not as well-known as the shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday appeals to people who are swept up in the spirit of giving at the end of the year. Participants post “unselfies” on social media, as opposed to selfies, stating why they donate. By posting these photos on social media about why they give on #GivingTuesday, donors and volunteers celebrate and encourage giving.

Anyone can post an “unselfie.” Simply visit ucanr.edu/givingtuesday, download and print an unselfie sign that says, “I #UNselfie for ____ #GivingTuesday,” “Together, we can reach for California's greatest potential on this #GivingTuesday” and “I'm donating to UCANR this #GivingTuesday because…” Participants can hold the sign below their face and snap an unselfie to post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and other social media with the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #UCANReach.

For UC ANR, #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to raise funds for UC Cooperative Extension county programs, research and extension centers and statewide programs. As a result of the ongoing effects of the drought, recent wildfires and persistent pockets of poverty, California's needs in the coming year will be great, and year-end giving presents an opportunity for donors to assist.

“UC Cooperative Extension professionals have a deep passion for their work and a dedication to the communities they serve,” said Glenda Humiston. University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “While most deliver their research and programs quietly every day, it is especially incredible to witness their response to disaster; for example, recent wildfires saw local UCCE offices responding immediately with vital information for coping with the fires, care for livestock and pets, as well as service in food banks and other volunteer needs.”

In Sonoma County, as residents evacuated during the fires, UC Cooperative Extension staff and 4-H members helped rescue livestock. In Solano County, wildfire took the homes of 17 UC Master Gardener volunteers so the UC Master Gardener Program connected them with volunteers throughout the state who wanted to provide relief.

“UC Master Gardener volunteers are true to their generous nature and have offered tremendous support to fellow volunteers who have lost homes in the fires. With compassionate hearts, they have offered lodging, supplies and words of support,” said Missy Gable, UC Master Gardener Program director. “In the future, we will look to replant what was lost and find healing in the care and establishment of new landscapes and wild spaces.”

For UC ANR stakeholders, #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to support the many research and outreach programs that strengthen California communities each day and more importantly, during times of crisis. 

“The value of the programs cannot be overstated,” Chico farmer Rory Crowley wrote in the Chico Enterprise-Record. “Agriculture is the main economic driver in Butte County, and it is extremely important to support our farmers and ranchers through these initiatives. This year we have a unique opportunity to give back to our Butte County researchers and agriculturists.”

Over $64,000 was raised on #GivingTuesday last year to support UC ANR programs including the 4-H Youth Development Program and UC Master Gardener Program.

“Last year, the 4-H Foundation recorded a 430 percent increase in donations over the previous fiscal year, raising over $30,000 in one day from 37 counties!” said Mary Ciricillo, director of annual giving for UC ANR. This was due in large part to a match challenge from an anonymous donor.

“This year, I'm excited to share that we will have two match challenge funds. One supporting the California 4-H Foundation and one for all UC ANR.” said Ciricillo.

Clicking "Make a Gift" at ucanr.edu/givingtuesday reveals links to all UC ANR programs, research and extension centers and UCCE offices so donors may designate the programs or locations to which they wish to donate.

The UC Master Gardener Giving Tuesday website is at http://mg.ucanr.edu/givingtuesday. 

The 4-H Youth Development Program also has its own website at http://4h.ucanr.edu/GivingTuesday.

“#GivingTuesday is a fun way for people to show their appreciation for the work their UC ANR friends do,” said Andrea Ambrose, acting director of UC ANR Development Services. “Take an #UNselfie with one of our signs and tell us, your family and friends what inspired you to donate. Remember to use the hashtags #UCANReach, #GivingTuesday and #unselfie!”

Last year UCANR, UC Master Gardeners and 4-H received 224 gifts and hope to surpass that number this year.

 

 

 

 

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