BIG GIVE CONTESTS Thank you for your generous support

Thank you for your enthusiasm, leadership, and generosity in support of Big Give Contests. Since 2014, the Big Give campaign has been Berkeley’s largest campus-wide fundraising endeavor, strengthening and sustaining our university’s excellence. Energizing this philanthropic effort are the Big Give Contests, which inspire thousands of students, alumni, parents, and supporters to participate in giving at Berkeley. Big Give Contests spark friendly competition across campus and beyond, and continue to light the way for a new generation of young donors to start their philanthropic journey with us. As we celebrate this record year for Big Give, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your commitment to these vital contests, and share some highlights of what your partnership has made possible.

Big Give Contests are the heart of Big Give, providing an exciting and interactive platform that motivates and encourages the Berkeley community and its supporters to give to what they feel connects them to Cal – whether it is an academic department, student club, or athletics team.

Driving the Big Give Contests is the unmatched enthusiasm and participation by students. By encouraging others to donate to their causes, students become ambassadors for their organizations, and actively start participating in philanthropy at Cal, which can inspire their continued giving following graduation.

Each Big Give Contest creates a unique opportunity for students to experience the culture of philanthropy at Berkeley. Contests often focus on participation numbers rather than a specific dollar goal, motivating students to encourage others to invest in their organizations. This year, Big Give Contests helped raise 16,061 gifts, more than double the number received during the inaugural Big Give in 2014, and the largest number to date.

The number of students making Big Give gifts has doubled since 2014, and the number of recent graduates making gifts continues to increase each year. Your generosity toward Big Give Contests inspires student participation and is fueling the next generation of donors at Berkeley.

Despite a socially-distant and challenging year, donors like you have continued to provide the vision and generosity that will fuel the future of giving at Berkeley. Looking forward, we endeavor to create additional, innovative Big Give Contests that will continue to galvanize enthusiastic ambassadorship on the part of our students, creating a lasting partnership that will promote a strong philanthropic culture at our university.

I am proud of the ways in which our community of supporters came together to make this year’s Big Give a success, and I am grateful to you for inspiring so many others through the contests to participate in philanthropy at Berkeley. Thank you again for all that you have done and continue to do to enable the bright successes that begin on campus and radiate far beyond. Fiat Lux, and Go Bears!

Sincerely,

Carol T. Christ, Chancellor