Big Give

Students in Berkeley sweatshirts with state capitol building in the background, 2019

Help students experience the power of advocacy through Lobby Days

On Thursday, March 10, the entire Cal community will come together for the Big Give, a 24-hour online giving campaign in support of schools, programs, and students.

What will my gift support?

This year, Big Give gifts to Berkeley Social Welfare will support registration costs for students attending Lobby Days so that they can gain firsthand experience with legislation and its impact on vulnerable populations.

Organized by NASW-CA, Legislative Lobby Days brings together over 1,000 undergraduates and MSW students for a day of training followed by a day of meeting with legislators to discuss issues related to social work policy, research, and practice.

In past years, students have advocated for a number of bills that directly impact vulnerable populations, including:

  • Funding for the Family Urgent Response System, a 24-hour crisis hotline for foster youth and their caregivers.
  • Increased access to housing under Extended Foster Care.
  • Increased cash grants to the poorest families with children in the state under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program.

Your gift will cover the cost of registration so that our students can share their stories with lawmakers and experience the empowerment that comes with joining hundreds of other social workers to advocate on behalf of vulnerable groups.

127 gifts = a $5,000 challenge grant

A Berkeley Social Welfare alum has offered a “Big Match” to encourage participation. If 127 people make gifts on March 10, we will qualify for an additional $5,000. Help us unlock this Big Match!

FAQs

Is there a minimum gift amount?

Berkeley’s online giving platform has a minimum gift amount of $10.

Can I make a monthly gift?

Thanks for thinking of it! Monthly gifts are a great way to provide ongoing support to Berkeley Social Welfare with minimal impact on your monthly budget. When you make an online gift, you will see the option to choose between a one-time gift and a recurring gift. If you select the “recurring” option, you can choose to give monthly, quarterly, or annually, and you also have the option of setting an end date for your recurring gift.

Can I make a gift by check?

Since we are operating in a remote environment, gifts by check may not be received in time to be counted towards the Big Give. If you are considering a gift by check, please contact Veronica Alexander at 510-292-7967 or valexander@berkeley.edu to discuss arrangements.

What happens if we exceed our goal?

Any funds raised beyond the cost of attending Lobby Days will be used in support of student experience at Berkeley Social Welfare.

Annual Fund

Support Fund
There are times when I have become frustrated in my direct practice work by seemingly immovable policies and structures. I see Lobby Days as an opportunity to advocate for changes that social workers see a need for on a daily basis.
Juliette Suarez, MSW '21
As many of our professors have said, knowing the rules of the game and the law of the land is the ultimate way that social workers can change the systems that oppress and marginalize our clients.
Shatesha Morris, MSW '21
Engaging students in the public policy process provides us the opportunity to be the voices of our clients. It gives us the opportunity to have government officials listen not only to how policies affect our work as social workers but also how they impact the lives of our clients.
Hannah Grace Neto, MSW '21