UMassGives and Gives—and Keeps Giving
In just two days, $1.7 million was raised.
The expectations leading up to last year’s UMassGives (a two-day grassroots fundraising campaign that takes place across campus) could best be described as cautiously optimistic after the unprecedented year that was 2020. Yet, once again, the UMass community showed incredible generosity, even in times that were tougher than most. In just two days, more than 9,400 UMass students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends gave in support of over 150 groups on campus—raising $1.7 million.
UMassGives has grown into a meaningful philanthropic experience for members of the UMass community near and far since the initiative’s launch in 2013. Its continued growth is in large part due to the passion and commitment of students, alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff who take to social media each year to share their favorite initiatives and causes.
The UMass community’s consistent generosity lends much-needed support for students and furthers the university’s mission. This year’s UMassGives will span April 28–29. See how you can give. And please visit the Annual Giving tent at this year’s Founder’s Day picnic for information and UMassGives giveaways.
The following groups represent just a handful of the success of UMassGives 2021. Here’s to UMassGives 2022!
UMass Amherst Transit Services
For UMassGives 2021, the partially student-run and -operated UMass Amherst Transit Services focused its fundraising on permanently establishing the Transit Services Annual Scholarship. This scholarship is given to two of Transit Services’ hardest-working student employees each year. The long-term goal is to offer these scholarships in perpetuity and increase the number offered each year from two to four. In 2021, Transit Services raised $7,140 from 88 gifts, which went a long way toward their goal.
Spanish and Portuguese Studies
Leaders within the Spanish and Portuguese Studies Program at UMass Amherst recognize the need to offer students extracurricular opportunities to ensure their success after graduation. Funds raised during UMassGives 2021 went toward local community outreach initiatives for Spanish language dissemination. They also covered the costs of hosting student workshops and funded conference participation for graduate students. Last year, the program was able to raise $3,175 from 127 members of the UMass community.
UMass ALTITUDE
Formerly known as UMass Hip Hop Culture Organization, UMass ALTITUDE is an on-campus dance group that provides opportunities for anyone interested in joining and learning how to dance through classes and workshops. They also have their own audition-based dance team called 5:Dirty Crew that travels and performs. The $2,920 the group raised in 2021 from 126 different gifts was used to fund several dancing workshops and cover equipment and travel costs for the dance crew.