A federal judge, a Cal linebacker, multiple CEOs, an Olympic swimmer, and a Nobel laureate are among the University of California-Berkeley luminaries getting the word out about the Big Give—Berkeley’s first 24-hour campus-wide online fundraiser.
On November 20, university supporters will have one day to make donations to a favorite school, program, or other part of campus. All Big Give donations benefit students, teaching, and research.
Preparations for the Big Give include a video and a social media campaign. Spreading the word, Haas Dean Rich Lyons appeared on Facebook last week with a “Big Innovation” card. Haas Professor Emeritus David Aaker holds a “Big Brand” card, and Haas Lecturer Steve Etter showcases a “Big Network” sign.
UC Berkeley organized the Big Give to reach out to its 450,000 alumni worldwide—and bring those alumni, students, Cal parents, and friends together for one day.
On the day of the fundraiser, Big Give team members will be in the Haas courtyard, asking students, faculty, and staff to participate and post selfies to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using #CalBigGive. (Alumni may participate at BigGive.berkeley.edu/haas.)
Among the UC Berkeley community luminaries appearing in the Big Give video are Molecular and Cell Biology Professor and 2013 Nobel Prize winner Randy Schekman, 12-time Olympic swimming medalist Natalie Coughlin, B.A. 05, and NPR Morning Edition host Renee Montagne, B.A. 73. (“Big Discoveries,” “Big Splash,” and “Big News” are their messages.)
Also featured are Michelle Kiang, CEO of Chirp Microsystems, and Erica Warp, PhD 12, (Neuroscience), CEO of Kizoom, both Berkeley-Haas startup SkyDeck projects.
While no specific fundraising goal has been set, all funds raised at the Big Give site and at give.berkeley.edu will be tallied continuously during the event.
Big Give donors will also have the chance to participate in contests that reward schools, colleges, or programs based on their Big Give success. Two day-long contests and eight hourly contests are planned.
Rules on how the contests work are posted at BigGive.berkeley.edu/faq.
