January 22, 2025
Dear Members of Our Campus Community,
For over 100 years, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been a steadfast partner in our community, dedicated to supporting our neighbors and building a stronger, more resilient future for all. At UC Santa Barbara, we are honored to share in this legacy by hosting the oldest United Way Campaign in Santa Barbara County.
This year, UC Santa Barbara will hold our annual United Way Campaign, “United for Education,” January 22 through March 7, 2025. In line with our campaign theme, we are recognizing and amplifying the importance of education and academic success, especially in promoting literacy among our youth. Last year marked United Way’s biggest year of expansion in program history, with notable growth in its academic achievement programs, which provided critical support to more students and families than ever before. As United Way continues to expand its reach, our support is needed to sustain and enhance these pivotal initiatives. As part of the campaign, we will come together for our annual Bean Bag Toss Tournament and will finish with the sweet gift of Candy Grams. For more information about our UC Santa Barbara United Way Campaign, please visit www.dia.ucsb.edu/unitedway.
Throughout its three focus areas — academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery — United Way continues to make an extraordinary impact on our community. Programs like Fun in the Sun, the United Learning Center, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance provide critical resources and tools to help children and families build stronger foundations for future success.
Through the Brighter Futures Childcare Fund, United Way has partnered with UC Santa Barbara’s Early Childhood Care and Education Services on the conversion of a preschool classroom into an infant/toddler classroom at the Orfalea Family Children’s Center. United Way’s grant to UCSB will help fund the remodel of a safe, enriching, and fun outdoor space for this new classroom.
To learn more about United Way’s resources and programs, please visit www.unitedwaysb.org.
As we join United Way in its mission to enrich the lives of children and families in our community, we are all inspired by our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who support the communities around us in so many ways. I encourage all of us to learn more about United Way of Santa Barbara County, and to invest in our community with a gift of service or financial support. No matter how you give, your gift makes a difference and is deeply appreciated!
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor
Key Dates
Campaign Dates: January 22 - March 7, 2025
January
22 | Payroll Deduction Sign-ups Open
27 - Feb 14 | Campus Store Round-Up
February
3 | Candy Gram Sales Open
5 | Bean Bag Toss Tournament
18 | Candy Gram Sales Close
March
3 - 7 | Dining at The Club Fundraiser
5 - 6 | Candy Gram Distribution
7 | Campaign Fundraising Ends