Posts Tagged: givingtuesday

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Today is #GivingTuesday! – a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of...

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.

Today is #GivingTuesday

It's #GivingTuesday!- a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals...

Giving Tuesday is November 30

  Join us for #GivingTuesday, a day of giving to celebrate generosity worldwide. UC...

2020 Giving Tuesday donations break UC ANR records

The 2020 Giving Tuesday donations for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources have broken records for the organization's previous giving campaigns. 

“I am thrilled to report that we raised over $196,000 for UC ANR programs on Giving Tuesday this year – a 49% increase over the $130,000 raised during Giving Tuesday last year!” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. 

UC ANR received 854 gifts from 736 donors during the 24-hour campaign this year; in 2019, 494 donors gave 580 gifts for Giving Tuesday.

“Like most organizations across the country, we were worried that giving would be down,” said Lorna Krkich, executive director of Development Services. “This result is both inspiring and an affirmation of the value our programs provide Californians.”

Before the coronavirus pandemic, UC Cooperative Extension advisors met with farmers to diagnose crop problems and they worked with homeowners and land managers to prepare for wildfire. UC Master Gardener volunteers demonstrated gardening practices for backyard gardeners and 4-H volunteers guided children in leadership and science projects.

In March, shelter-in-place restrictions gave rise to UC Cooperative Extension and other UC ANR employees finding opportunities to address their communities' new and urgent needs.

As restaurants closed, they began helping farmers find new markets for their produce and meat. To avoid public gatherings, UC Master Gardeners and other UC Cooperative Extension programs began offering virtual workshops online. 4-H youth sewed masks for people who needed personal protective equipment. In August, when lightning ignited wildfires all over the state, UC Cooperative Extension advised residents on defensible space around their homes and helped evacuate livestock.  

“The resounding success of Giving Tuesday shows that more and more people are beginning to recognize and appreciate the amazing work UC ANR employees do to make life better for Californians,” said Emily Delk, director of annual giving and donor stewardship.

Humiston said, “Many thanks to everyone who gave money to expand research and outreach, and to those who volunteer their time to extend UC ANR programs to more people.”

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