Impacts of Giving | UC Davis Giving

Because UC Davis’ reach is so broad, the impacts of philanthropic gifts are vast and diverse. This page is just a sampling of stories that describe how private contributions from alumni and other friends, corporations, foundations and other supporters are furthering UC Davis’ land-grant mission to serve society.

Taken together, these stories weave together in a singular narrative, the one story of the difference that you can make in partnership with UC Davis.

Inspiring Stories

Barbara Jackson: A Lifelong Passion for the Arts

Barbara Jackson, a well-known patron of the arts and one of UC Davis’ most loyal and generous friends, died Friday evening, September 7th, in Davis. She was 99 years old.

Record-Breaking Give Day Makes a Difference

The event themed “Every Aggie Counts: Combined, we change the world” raised more than $1.7 million from 4,047 gifts. That is more than $450,000 and 1,000 gifts over last year’s Give Day totals!

Inspiring Stories

Full University Experience by philanthropy

Zeng pursued golf and rigorous academics at UC Davis. Through the Telephone Outreach Program and her internship with the Development and Alumni Relations, she experienced philanthropy like never before.

Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing building

Dynamic Learning Environments by philanthropy

Betty Irene Moore Hall is a state-of-the-science facility that supports health sciences education at UC Davis, where students are engaged through dynamic learning environments.

UC Davis landscape architecture students work on design-build projects outside Hunt Hall.

Design-Build Projects by philanthropy

Landscape architecture students will have an opportunity to acquire hands-on experience with the creation of a fund that supports design-build projects.

The Augmented Reality Sandbox shows how land forms affect water flow. (UC Davis KeckCAVES)

Augmented Reality by philanthropy

With more than 500 installations on six continents, the UC Davis Augmented Reality, or AR, Sandbox, has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Art Education by philanthropy

UC Davis expanded the culture of art education to an entirely new level with the Manetti Shrem Museum through the power of philanthropy.

Interim Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter at the podium, in front of the Empyrean Ensemble, left, and a mostly-faculty quartet, with guest pianist Alice Takemoto. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)

Music by philanthropy

This facility enriches teaching and learning for music students, as well as students from throughout UC Davis who take classes in the building.

Lives Saved by philanthropy

Firefighter Richard Reiff is back to work as a helitack firefighter following treatment for burn injuries at UC Davis.

Biotech Business by philanthropy

Talented graduate business students like Rocha are fulfilling their career aspirations after overcoming hardships with the help of Eamonn and Kathleen Dolan’s scholarship.

Emergency Care for Animals by philanthropy

Morello is appreciative of donors who make it possible for her and her peers to focus on their education and helping animals through field work and volunteering.

Medical Research by philanthropy

UC Davis is helping Nguyen achieve her dream by giving her the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research, which she believes has benefitted her greatly. Hometown: Cupertino, Calif. Major: Biological Sciences

Uncovering Powerful Stories by philanthropy

Han is honored to write inspiring stories for fellow Aggies and the world to read. Being exposed to philanthropy has changed her perspective on the world.

Jonas Langlois stops by the Chevron Tutoring Center whenever he needs and is assisted by excellent tutors made up of his engineering peers, like Kimberly Tanaka and Ian Sloop.

Peer-to-Peer Learning by philanthropy

The Chevron Tutoring Center offers in-house tutoring for courses to enhance the learning experience for all students, within the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and beyond.

Juan Polari Ph.D. '20 (left) after passing his qualifying exam with Selena Wong (right).

Finding a Niche by philanthropy

Talented and qualified scholars, like Polari, are the major force behind the Olive Center’s successful and world-renowned research program.

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