From the Nominator

ContribUTe is largest student-led giving campaign at UT Austin. The campaign is hosted by the UT Student Foundation, a student philanthropy organization sponsored by Texas Development, and benefits the university’s Counseling and Mental Health Center, Student Emergency Services, and the UT Outpost Food Pantry. With guidance from the Annual Giving Programs, the Student Foundation’s 2020 ContribUTe campaign successfully raised more than $51,500 from 1,332 students in the month of October. The amount of funds raised and student donors acquired was the highest ever seen for a student-led crowdfunding campaign at the university, surpassing the 2019 ContribUTe fundraising results by $15,500.

From the Judges

We were impressed by the creativity and originality of this submission, specifically the coordinated design and educational components for students. Additionally, the growth this program saw during a particularly challenging year is noteworthy, specifically the increase of student donors from 1,090 last year to 1,332 this year. Finally, we were inspired by the blueprint this submission could serve for other institutions, including the emphasis on peer-to-peer engagement, and the empowerment of students as ambassadors and donors.