Giving Day—March 3, 2021
Thank You!
Wow, 2,539 Wildcats gave 3,108 gifts for a total of nearly $540,000 for Chico State Giving Day 2021! View full results.
Because of you, Chico State Giving Day was bigger and more successful than ever before—we hit a record number of donors, a record number of dollars, and a record number of causes supported.
These gifts will go a long way in our mission to transform lives through education, applied research, and public services. We are beyond grateful—thank you.
Featured Causes
Click a category to browse causes by area of interest, or scroll to view the featured funds.
Chico State Fund
(Goal: $100,000)
This flexible fund allows us to meet the greatest needs of our people and programs whenever and however they arise. Because the money's not designated to specific scholarship or department, it can be put to use right away where ever it's needed the most. Whether it's supporting basic needs, establishing new tutoring centers, or funding student-faculty research partnerships, the Chico State Fund helps fill the gaps between state funding and designated gifts.
Wildcat Athletics (Goal: $84,000)
Wildcat Athletics (Goal: $84,000)
Cause: As one of the top programs in the CCAA, we Wildcats are used to winning on the court, field, course, etc. This pandemic has drastically affected many individuals, organizations, and athletic programs like ours, but the Wildcat Family remains strong. We want to make sure all 13 teams come back ready to compete for championships and provide an amazing student-athlete experience! Help support scholarships and operational resources for your favorite team.
Sport Clubs (Goal: $32,000)
Cause: Whether you are a club parent, club alumni, community partner, or just a sports fanatic, your support plays a powerful role for the Chico State Sport Clubs Program. The Collegiate Sport Clubs Program provides students the opportunity to represent Chico State as they participate in competitive sports against other collegiate teams. You can assist our 22 Sport Clubs in areas such as equipment purchases, travel costs, facility rentals, uniforms, and much more.
CAVE Alternative Spring Break (Goal: $2,000)
CAVE Alternative Spring Break (Goal: $2,000)
Cause: Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE)'s Alternative Spring Break Service Trips sends student volunteers into communities impacted by the Camp Fire to perform a variety of service projects. These funds will help us create a service project that will provide an incredible learning experience for our students while also showing our community that we truly care for them.
Center for Communication Disorders (Goal: $6,500)
Clinic for Communication Disorders (Goal: $6,500)
Cause: The Clinic for Communication Disorders (CCD) is a vital part of the Chico community, ensuring that CMSD graduate students are prepared for future careers as speech-language pathologists while provided free services to clients across the North State. All donations directly support the daily and ongoing operations of the clinic, which contribute to successful student training and client outcomes. Help us provide free speech-language services!
Center for Healthy Communities (Goal: $2,000)
Center for Healthy Communities (Goal: $2,000)
Cause:The Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) has over 50 Chico State interns each semester and they are integral to the success of the Center. CHC is almost completely grant funded to implement programs that address hunger, healthy eating, active living, and health equity. Your gift will support our Wildcats in ways that our grants cannot, including costs for conferences and professional development and funding for student research.
Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) (Goal: $5,000)
Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: CLIC provides clinical experience for students seeking hands-on experience in an on-campus legal clinic while providing free legal information and assistance to clients in the North State and beyond. Almost 200 students provide legal help and information to over 12,000 clients each year. We want to continue to do this work and need help in covering our overhead costs.
Gateway Science Museum (Goal: $5,000)
Gateway Science Museum (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Even though our doors are temporarily closed, Gateway Science Museum continues to inspire the exploration of science and natural history in our region and beyond. With our Gateway From Home virtual programming, there are so many ways to learn and explore together. But we need YOUR help to produce this online content.
Tehama Group Communications (Goal: $5,000)
Tehama Group Communications (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Chico State’s student-managed public relations agency Tehama Group Communications offers students with an intensive hands-on experience working with clients in an agency setting. Your donations help us create high-quality multimedia for our clients, give us the opportunity to visit agencies outside of Butte County, and provide us with modern technology.
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology (Goal: $2,000)
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology (Goal: $2,000)
Cause: Our motto has always been, "travel the world without leaving home," and in July 2020, during a global pandemic, we made it happen! Your generous donations last Giving Day helped us pivot smoothly to Zoom Camp last summer and open a world of possibility. This year, whether virtual or in person, the camp team is ready to provide an informal learning environment with big ideas. Donate to sponsor a camper!
Give to the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology(opens in new window)
Black Student Union (Goal: $2,000)
Black Student Union (Goal: $2,000)
Cause:The Black Student Union (BSU) is an organization that advocated the need of the students on campus, while empowering, teaching, discussing, and exploring the Black experience. The BSU serves as a liaison between the student of African descent and other minorities and the campus. We work towards engaging the community in efforts to promote cultural diversity. We provide a safe place for the Black community on campus that encourages unity, inspires leaderships, and asserts dignity.
Dream Center (Goal: $3,000)
Cause: Undocumented students (also known as Dream, DACA or AB 540 students) represent some of the most dedicated, yet underserved and low-income students at Chico State. One of the biggest challenges they face in achieving a university degree is their limited eligibility for financial aid, and in some circumstances, an added ineligibility to work. We seek your help in offsetting some academic and basic needs expenses for Chico State undocumented students in need.
Chico State Latina/o/x Initiatives (Goal: $5,000)
Chico State Latina/o/x Initiatives (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Support Latina/o/x-affinity activities such as the Latinx welcome reception (Bienvenida), Latinx Graduation Celebration, cultural programming, student leadership and career opportunities, and other Latina/o/x-inspired initiatives that create a welcoming, inclusive campus community and foster student success.
Leaders Educating for the Advancement of Dreamers (LEAD) (Goal: $5,000)
Leaders Educating for the Advancement of Dreamers (LEAD) (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: A student organization striving to build a support system for our undocumented students and allies, LEAD looks to empower, guide, and fully support our students in all possible aspects. Help us provide assistance for graduating Dreamer students with their gap and gown fees! Even if we can’t celebrate our grads together, we want to be able to help them celebrate with their loved ones.
Multicultural and Gender Studies Department (Goal: $7,500)
Multicultural and Gender Studies Department (Goal: $7,500)
Cause: Help us raise funds for MCGS student awards and interns! Our Change the World Award has supported four students working in the fields of criminal, economic, and social justice over the past two years and we hope to support even more. We also want to expand the number of department interns to manage the influx of students now required by a new California law to take ethnic studies courses as part of their general education.
Native American Graduation Celebration (Goal: $2,500)
Native American Graduation Celebration (Goal: $2,500)
Cause: Did you know that American Indian students have the highest post-secondary dropout rate? One factor is not having a sense of belonging or visibility on college campuses. The Tribal Relations Office is working to create that by acknowledging our students' educational milestones, accomplishments, and hosting opportunities for our Native students to share who they are. Help honor graduates by funding the special sash and necklace students receive at the Native American Graduation Celebration.
Give to Native American Graduation Celebration(opens in new window)
PATH Scholars (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: PATH Scholars supports the higher educational goals of current and former foster youth, as well as unaccompanied homeless minors. In addition to academic support, we promote the success and connectedness of our students by offering emergency funds and hosting social/cultural events. With your support, we can ensure that students thrive, rather than just survive, during their college experience.
TRIO Student Support Services (Goal: $1,500)
TRIO Student Support Services (Goal: $1,500)
Cause: Help us meet the academic and basic needs of first generation, low-income students, and those living with a disability! TRIO SSS participant persistence and good academic standing are all above 90% and most of our students have above a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Your donations will help our students purchase required course materials and technology, help students in crisis with emergency grants, help students pay graduation fees, assist with purchasing textbooks and help us hire more Peer Mentors.
Dare to Achieve Scholarship (Goal: $4,000)
Dare to Achieve Scholarship (Goal: $4,000)
Cause: The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences' Dare to Achieve Scholarship provides financial support for students who have managed to attend college in spite of exceptional obstacles and who have given back to their community in important ways. Help us continue to expand this scholarship to support more students!
Orion Leadership Awards (Goal: $5,000)
Orion Leadership Awards (Goal: $5,000)
Cause:Orionites work 10-20 hours a week on the paper, but increasingly, they must also work part-time jobs. Many also have a full load of classes. That's why The Orion is asking loyal alumni and passionate supporters to donate $500 leadership awards. Your money will ensure that student journalism at Chico State remains independent, vigilant and quality-driven. Donations of any amount add up to a big impact!
Psi Chi Student of the Year Scholarship (Goal: $3,000)
Psi Chi Student of the Year Scholarship (Goal: $3,000)
Cause: Help us honor high-achieving psychology students! Psi Chi is an international honor society for student committed to contributing to the science and profession of psychology and to society in general. This scholarship will help a student balance their studies and the costs of going to college.
Study Abroad Scholarships (Goal: $2,500)
Study Abroad Scholarships (Goal: $2,500)
Cause: Help Chico State students fund their Study Abroad & Exchange programs—whether virtual or in person! Though study abroad is an integral part of a well-rounded education in an increasingly global market, many students struggle to earn the funds for participation. Our goal is to continue engaging students with international opportunities by expanding opportunities, such as virtual international internships and global courses, as well as our in-person international programs for future study abroad applicants.
Basic Needs Project (Goal: $75,000)
Basic Needs Project (Goal: $75,000)
Cause: Amid COVID-19 impacts, the existing challenges of student poverty like hunger and homelessness have only worsened. The Basic Needs Project provides nutritious food, short-term emergency housing and rapid re-housing, connection to services, and emergency grants for students experiencing significant financial difficulties. Empower students to achieve their dreams by helping meet their basic needs.
Business Student Success Center (Goal: $5,000)
Business Student Success Center (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Help support business students in their efforts to learn, graduate, and succeed. The Business Student Success Center offers free tutoring, professional development workshops, club grants, awards, career development opportunities, and so much more to students in the College of Business.
Give to the Business Student Success Center(opens in new window)
Chico Student Success Center (Goal: $3,500)
Chico Student Success Center (Goal: $3,500)
Cause: The Chico Student Success Center serves first-generation, low income, and traditionally underrepresented learners, from outreach to graduation, with personalized attention to their academic goals and individual journey. This fundraiser is to support professional attire grants and textbook/course material grants for students in need.
Give to the Chico Student Success Center(opens in new window)
Center for Excellence in Finance (Goal: $5,000)
Center for Excellence in Finance (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Help us create a Financial Markets Lab! There are over 300 students enrolled in finance courses at Chico State and each deserves access to resources that will help boost their career options. The Center for Excellence in Finance supports our finance students by providing experiences in analysis competitions, financial planning, and investment management. Help us host guest speakers, compete in competitions, and develop a new Financial Markets Lab!
Give to Center for Excellence in Finance(opens in new window)
Computer Animation and Game Development (Goal: $2,000)
Computer Animation and Game Development (Goal: $2,000)
Cause: Help us connect Computer Animation and Game Development students to industry! Keeping students connected with the gaming and animation industry is a bit more difficult in Chico due to the distance between our campus and the main hubs for both industries. Your donation will allow CAGD to host industry experts for panels and classroom visits which expand and strengthen the existing links between our faculty, students and industry experts.
Give to Computer Animation and Game Development(opens in new window)
Concrete Industry Management (Goal: $5,000)
Concrete Industry Management (Goal: $5,000)
Cause:The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program is raising funds to aid students in professional development that will support them as they enter the industry after graduation. Having funds available for students to grow professionally allows them to continue their focus on their studies and extracurriculars instead of the financial stresses that can come with being a student.
ECC Student Success Center (Goal: $5,000)
ECC Student Success Center (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: The ECC Student Success Center provides advising and academic resources to students in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management. The center assists with major advising, e-advising tools, referrals to campus services, and navigating complex requirements. Help support tutoring, materials, and mentorship!
English Department Outreach Project (Goal: $4,000)
English Department Outreach Project (Goal: $4,000)
Cause: Help us connect with our virtual students through the English Department Outreach Project! The English Department values our students highly, and we have missed the opportunity to connect with them during the pandemic. Our campaign is designed to help show our students that we care about them through graduation swag and new student packages, summer orientation support, and special events.
Environmental Engineering Lab (Goal: $5,000)
Environmental Engineering Lab (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Environmental engineers build chemical reactors, operate analytical instruments, and apply chemical and biological science to protect human and ecological health. Unfortunately, our environmental engineering laboratory hasn't been upgraded for over 50 years—students describe it as “dingy” and “old!” Help us modernize the facility for hands-on technology-based learning so our students can gain practical skills that make them plug-in ready for the workforce.
First-Year Experience Program (Goal: $5,000)
First-Year Experience Program (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Help first-year students find their sense of place! FYE assists with a successful transition to college life by giving students access to mentorship opportunities and course-related, large-scale public events where students can showcase their classroom research through civic discourse! We're fundraising to cover orientation costs for incoming students.
Hands-on Engineering at Home (Goal: $10,000)
Hands-on Engineering at Home (Goal: $10,000)
Cause: The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has 185 portable electronic instruments ready to go so students in four majors can conduct experiments remotely, but we need your help getting this equipment to them! Your gift to support shipping expenses will allow students to conduct hands-on experiments in circuits, electronics, and embedded systems during virtual learning.
Humanities & Fine Arts Dean's Fund for Excellence (Goal: $2,021)
Humanities & Fine Arts Dean's Fund for Excellence (Goal: $2,021)
Cause: Support creativity, innovation, and fearless ideas! The HFA Dean’s Fund for Excellence has provided a wide range of life-changing opportunities and resolved urgent needs, from enabling students to present their research at prestigious national conferences, to subsidizing music lessons, purchasing art supplies, and even providing funds for students who need a computer cable to be able to continue their online courses from home. Help us continue this work to support our students.
Math and Engineering Bootcamp (Goal: $3,530)
Math and Engineering Bootcamp (Goal: $3,350)
Cause: The College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management's bootcamp helps our students ace the first math course that they take at Chico State, which will be their first—and possibly their most critical—step towards graduation! The bootcamp is designed to strengthen the incoming students’ understanding of math and critical thinking as applied in engineering and computer science. This fundraiser will help at least 10 more students to participate!
Music Education Students (Goal: $500)
Music Education Students (Goal: $500)
Cause: Help us support future music educators at a time when the arts are more important than ever! We are a student organization focused on empowering all fellow music education students through hands on learning and community involvement. With your support, music education students will be able to participate in various experiential learning opportunities like the California All State Music Educators Conference and other valuable educational masterclasses.
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (Goal: $2,500)
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (Goal: $2,500)
Cause: Chico State NSSLHA inspires, empowers, and offers support to future speech-language pathologists, audiologists and clinical researchers while contributing to our community as a whole. Each year, we give back by hosting a conference on a pertinent topic in the field of speech pathology. Help us host the 12th annual conference, which we offer to students, faculty, alumni and local professionals for free!
"Nurse's Day at the Capitol" Field Trip 2022 (Goal: $5,555)
"Nurse's Day at the Capitol" Field Trip 2022 (Goal: $5,555)
Cause: Help nursing students learn how to use their voice to advocate for patient care and the health of our communities. We are fundraising to pay for a trip to Sacramento for the American Nurse's Association's California Day at the Capitol for 80 students. Being on the floor at the capitol provides nursing students with real-world insight into the legislative process and the need for nurses to have a voice when decisions are being made about health care.
Promoting Agricultural Excellence Through Competition (Goal: $5,000)
Promoting Agricultural Excellence Through Competition (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Help us deepen the educational experience in the College of Agriculture through our numerous competitive teams. Whether it is a single competition at an annual conference, or a year-long season of practice and travel, these opportunities allow students to apply academic concepts, practice teamwork, set goals, and build confidence. You can be a part of these transformational educational experiences by helping provide the practice materials, uniforms and supplies, and travel costs to expand competitive opportunities to more students.
Student Learning Center (Goal: $4,061)
Student Learning Center (Goal: $4,061)
Cause:The Student Learning Center (SLC) empowers CSU, Chico students to become critical thinkers and independent learners through the use of comprehensive student-centered support in diverse, inclusive learning environments. The SLC provides free tutoring to all students. In the 2019-2020 academic year, we served 4,061 students with 40,775 visits. We employ over 120 students as subject tutors, Supplemental Instruction (SI) leaders, writing tutors and clerical staff. We are fundraising to provide Smart Snacks to students who visit the SLC and to provide specialized training for our student staff as they work through their CRLA certification.
BCCER Wildlife Habitat Improvement Projects (Goal: $5,000)
BCCER Wildlife Habitat Improvement Projects (Goal: $5,000)
Cause:The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) is a place for undergraduate and graduate students alike to conduct hands-on research and develop a better understanding of the natural world. Students also have the unique opportunity to research the land manager’s role in restoring damaged ecosystems to health and vibrancy. Help us offer more students work opportunities on the Reserves, as well as aid in the general maintenance and upkeep of these pristine pieces of land.
Campus Sustainability Committee (Goal: $2,500)
Campus Sustainability Committee (Goal: $2,500)
Cause:Chico State has made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 and we need your help to get there. The Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC) is the formal group working on achieving this important goal and includes students, faculty, staff, and community, all bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the work. We are fundraising for everything from sustainable giveaways and raffle prizes to improve sustainable lifestyle decisions all the way up to offsetting the costs of larger infrastructure needs and projects.
Give to Campus Sustainability Committee(opens in new window)
Center for Water and the Environment (Goal: $2,500)
Center for Water and the Environment (Goal: $2,500)
Cause: Help support the Big Chico Creek Watershed Tour (BCCWT). The BCCWT is an innovative project that provides a multidisciplinary learning experience to students from across departments to learn about California's water, climate, and sustainable resource issues as they metaphorically follow a drop of water through the watershed from its headwaters through the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER), into the heart of campus, to its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Give to Center for Water and the Environment(opens in new window)
Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (Goal: $15,000)
Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (Goal: $15,000)
Cause: In the face of global climate change, the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems researches and promotes farming practices that reduce greenhouse gasses, restore soil resiliency, increase the sustainability of farms and ranches, and address food and water insecurity. Help students conduct this important research while gaining knowledge that will transform the world.
Give to Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems(opens in new window)
Chico State Herbarium (Goal: $5,000)
Chico State Herbarium (Goal: $5,000)
Cause: Support the botanical diversity and botanical legacy of our region! The Chico State Herbarium consists of a collection of over 120,000 preserved plant specimen, lichens, and slime molds each with associated data that documents the botanical diversity both past and current of a region. Your donation allows us to continue to be a critical resource, keeping the Herbarium relevant and a resource for students, botanists, and scientists near and far.
Scholarships for Social Work Students (Goal: $1,500)
Cause: It is a critical time to invest in social work as the demand for smart, innovative, and professionally trained social workers is increasing dramatically. Contributions to our scholarships will support students to be able to pay education-related expenses—often meaning they can work less in their outside employment and focus on their coursework and field placements.
Give to Scholarships for Social Work Students(opens in new window)