West LA Times

Bruins from across the globe demonstrated unprecedented generosity during UCLA's Blue and Gold Challenge in fall 2024. The university's largest annual fundraising campaign saw contributions totaling nearly $2.87 million, marking a more than 50% increase compared to the previous year.

The weeklong drive, held in November, garnered over 7,000 gifts—the highest number recorded in the campaign's 13-year history. This surpassed the target of 4,250 donations needed to unlock a "challenge" gift of $625,000 from alumnus Jeff Chang. Chang graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in political science and designated his contribution to support undergraduates studying math, engineering, and business.

"It made sense to me and to my family to consolidate our philanthropy behind one or two causes, and UCLA is the cause for me," Chang stated. He emphasized UCLA's impact on his personal development and expressed hope that others would have similar opportunities through the scholarship established by his family.

The UCLA School of Law 75th Anniversary Scholarship Fund emerged as one of the most popular options during the challenge. Participants could also contribute to various campus programs such as UCLA People-Animal Connection, UCLA’s Academic Advancement Program, and Little Bruin Wishes.

UCLA’s Athletics Day of Giving was integral to this year's success. It provided opportunities for donors to support student-athletes across different sports disciplines. Olivia Burke from UCLA women's rowing acknowledged donor contributions saying, "You help us compete at the highest levels of college athletics and chase our personal dreams."

Overall contributions amounted to $2,866,496 when including both the challenge gift and donations towards UCLA Athletics—representing an almost 55% increase from last year’s figures.

Laura Lavado Parker, associate vice chancellor for development at UCLA, attributed this achievement to widespread support at all giving levels and the growing use of online platforms like UCLA Spark for donations. "Spark allows UCLA’s donors to explore a variety of meaningful giving opportunities," Parker explained.

In reflection on this successful campaign season she added: “We are thankful for their continued strong support which helps us sustain all that is great at UCLA.”