UTEP Encourages Generosity Through 'Pick a Project' Crowdfunding Platform
Last Updated on December 02, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Originally published December 02, 2019
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso is providing the community with a new way to come together to support a specific cause. Similar to crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and KickStarter, UTEP's Pick A Project platform supports an array of campus initiatives through crowd-based giving.
UTEP’s Office of Institutional Advancement launched Pick A Project as an additional fundraising channel to give interested donors opportunities to impact a range of UTEP's unique and diverse research projects, student initiatives, and campus activities, through tax-deductible donations.
The crowdfunding platform will go live Dec. 3, 2019, with four projects. Each project is managed by a project-specific student, faculty and/or staff group, and donors, alumni and friends can share projects through their own social media accounts, as well as track progress to help generate even greater support for their favorites. Each project will have an established goal to be fully funded, with the initial four hoping to reach their goals in 45 days. New projects will post on the site regularly, and donations can be made using a convenient and secure online form.
The launch of Pick A Project has been coordinated in conjunction with Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage giving and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
Jim Senter, UTEP’s director of athletics and interim vice president of institutional advancement, said the impetus for Pick A Project began when UTEP realized our alumni and friends have varying interests and want the ability to support exciting initiatives throughout the campus. With this comes the enjoyment from interacting digitally and supporting specific needs.
“Pick A Project empowers people to get involved by sharing the projects they have supported and enjoyed and make an impact on student, faculty, and staff initiatives that can be fully funded through the power of collective giving,” Senter said.
Faculty, staff or student groups interested in hosting a project should submit an application at pickaproject.utep.edu/submit-application.
