UC Davis employees and retirees have made an incredible impact on the university by donating nearly $11.5 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year to date. These numbers include 2,264 employee donors (626 faculty and 1,638 staff) out of 26,295 full-time employees across UC Davis and UC Davis Health, for a 9.6% and 8.2% participation rate, respectively. And the gifts include everything from monthly gifts to legacy gifts.

An avalanche of employee donors in April 

With Employee Giving Month and Give Day, the month of April plays a big role in boosting employee donor participation. This April was no different, with more than 2,000 campus and Health employees making a gift during the month.

This year’s Give Day (April 19-20) raised nearly $4.3 million, shooting past last year’s total of $3.4 million. Exhibiting their remarkable dedication and commitment, more than 700 UC Davis and UC Davis Health faculty and staff donated during Give Day.

The Employee Giving Committee issued a $7,155 Give Day challenge to support any program at UC Davis or UC Davis Health. Their challenge drew 1,185 gifts totaling more than $82,000. And the boards of the Emeriti and Retirees associations issued a $10,100 Give Day challenge that raised more than $64,000 from 203 gifts.

Brewing up a unique event

When employees give to UC Davis, whether it’s a one-time gift or monthly payroll deduction, they are automatically enrolled in the Employee Giving Program. The program includes invitations to unique behind-the-scenes events to thank donors for their support.

On June 4, the Employee Giving Committee hosted a Philanthropy Spotlight Tour for employee donors at the newly opened UC Davis Coffee Center. The event featured an exclusive tour of the center, which is the world's first academic research and teaching facility entirely dedicated to the study of coffee.  

After the tour, attendees were treated to a lunch and the Italian coffee-based dessert affogato prepared by Coffee Center Director William Ristenpart, a professor of chemical engineering. The video above provides highlights from the tour and shares the exciting research our students are undertaking that will revolutionize the coffee industry.

If you are interested in becoming an employee donor, please check out the Employee Giving website, and learn how finding your passion on campus can make a profound difference for our students and the entire UC Davis community.