Before applying, please review the ZotFunder Crowdfunding Guidelines. For questions regarding these guidelines, please email zotfunder@uci.edu or Sara Blanco Gale, Assistant Director of Digital Philanthropy & Student Engagement, at sblancog@uci.edu.
Crowdfunding with UC Irvine
You are the stars of this campus. You think big. You imagine the impossible. You push boundaries. Are you ready to transform your bright ideas into game-changing realities?
ZotFunder will help you tap into the power of the crowd to support your next venture: advance your research, produce a play, save the planet, serve the community, design an app or engage in other novel activities that will make the world a better place.
Whatever your specialty, you’ll have the opportunity to spread the word about your groundbreaking work and attract donors who believe in your vision - your community with a personal stake in your crowdfunding success. They’ll be rooting for you, and so will we.
Join us as we power ideas and passion projects that make a difference. Fund your project of choice today to make it a reality.
Want to learn more? Check out the ZotFunder Crowdfunding Guidelines and watch our ZotFunder video!
The Olabisi Lab: Can Humans Heal without Scarring? – Has raised over $86,000 and counting!
Am I eligible? Yes, if you:
- Are affiliated with UC Irvine and are non-profit in nature
- Have an advisor or staff finance contact
- Have a project team (5-8 minimum) willing to commit 3-4 hours/week
- Gain approval by submitting an application before the next deadline
Ready to launch a crowdfunding campaign of your own?
Before applying, please review the ZotFunder Crowdfunding Guidelines. For questions regarding these guidelines, please email zotfunder@uci.edu or Sara Blanco Gale, Assistant Director of Digital Philanthropy & Student Engagement, at sblancog@uci.edu.
Anteater Electric Racing 2024-2025 – Raised over $19,000
Our Impact
Since 2017, UC Irvine has hosted over 175 crowdfunding projects that have raised more than $4.5 million collectively!
Women's Basketball Foreign Tour – Guadeloupe 2023 – Raised over $41,500
University of California, Irvine FAQ
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, mainly from personal networks.
Through Zotfunder, UC Irvine affiliated groups and individuals have the opportunity to host an online fundraising campaign benefiting student, staff, and alumni initiatives on campus. The Office of Annual Giving partners with faculty, staff, and students to develop giving pages that raise funds for a wide variety of programs and activities. Project teams illustrate why their cause is compelling with a unique project page and spread the word with a digital marketing plan, all within ~60 days!
How do I participate?
We select projects based on whether they have the potential to reach 100% of a realistic goal, an engaged team, a clear need for funds, and an established or growing supporter base.
As crowdfunding has grown at UC Irvine over the years, the application process has become more selective. We encourage you to email zotfunder@uci.edu or Sara Blanco Gale, Assistant Director of Digital Philanthropy & Student Engagement, at sblancog@uci.edu if you have any questions before starting your application.
Who does the actual crowdfunding work?
You do! The most successful crowdfunding campaigns are for projects where there is a group of 5-8 individuals who are willing to serve as leaders of a larger team who can promote this opportunity to their personal network. These projects rely heavily on teams of volunteers to promote and market the fundraiser.
Additionally, the Office of Annual Giving helps ensure a successful ZotFunder campaign by offering fund management, digital fundraising and marketing training, and strategic check-ins throughout the campaign.
Where does the crowdfunding money go?
The gifts your campaign receives go directly to the fund specified at the beginning of your campaign. This is a 4-digit fund code that is usually managed by your school or program's finance administration. This tool is available to student clubs and organizations where the funds can be directed to a specific fundraising account in support of the educational mission of the university and meeting the spending requirements of the administrative policies of the university. Please note that the UC Irvine Foundation fund must be managed by a school or program’s business office or finance administration.
Charitable gifts for the benefit of UC Irvine are, by UC policy, to be donated directly to the campus via the UCI Foundation without an intervening entity or middleman. However, in the case of crowdfunding, ZotFunder offers an effective strategy to communicate via social media in a streamlined manner that is currently not available within the University.
Please keep in mind it takes approximately 4-8 weeks after the conclusion of a ZotFunder campaign for the funds to be released.
How much can I expect to raise?
The number of team members you recruit will help set your initial goal. It is important to note that your initial target goal will need to reflect the capacity your team has to fundraise - not how much your campaign actually needs.
Our formula for success: Number of Team Members x $500 = Initial Funding Goal
Please note: If you hit your initial funding goal early on, we can raise it!
Please keep in mind it takes approximately 4-8 weeks after the conclusion of a ZotFunder campaign for the funds to be released.
Looking for other online fundraising opportunities?
Giving Day is an annual 24-hour fundraising event held in April; the entire UC Irvine community comes together for one day to support their favorite schools and programs, unlock matching gifts, and highlight the power of philanthropy.
For questions about Giving Day, please contact James Yokelle at james.yokelle@uci.edu.
Contact Us
For general questions about ZotFunder or the application process, please email zotfunder@uci.edu or Sara Blanco Gale, Assistant Director of Digital Philanthropy & Student Engagement, at sblancog@uci.edu.
FOR DONORS
Are gifts tax deductible?
The UC Irvine Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Your gift qualifies for tax-deduction in accordance with IRS regulations during the calendar year that you make your gift. Consult your tax professional for more information.
Who can I contact for more information on how to make a gift?
Please call 949-824-6136 or email us at zotfunder@uci.edu and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Can I make a gift via check to support a campaign?
Yes! You are welcome to send a check made payable to the UC Irvine Foundation to:
UC Irvine Office of Annual Giving
510 East Peltason Drive, Suite 5000
Irvine, CA 92697-5600
Please make sure to indicate which ZotFunder project you are supporting in the memo line.
Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?
If your donation qualifies as a charitable contribution, a gift receipt for your financial records will be sent to you in the mail.
Do you accept matching gifts?
Some companies match their employees' gifts to universities. This could double or even triple your gift to UC Irvine.
You can mail your matching gift to:
UC Irvine Gift Administration
University Advancement
510 East Peltason Drive, Suite 5000
Irvine, CA 92697-5600
For questions, please email: zotfunder@uci.edu
What should I do if I'd like to make my gift in honor of or in memory of someone?
If you would like to make your gift in honor of or in memory of someone, please email the following information to zotfunder@uci.edu:
- Your name
- Gift amount
- Gift date
- Is your gift in honor of, or in memory of
- Full name of honoree
- Is the honoree an alum, student, parent of a student, faculty or staff member of UC Irvine? If so, please indicate which relationship types apply.
- Would you like us to notify anyone about your gift? If so, please include their full name and address information.