Starting tomorrow at noon, Tigers worldwide will unite for 24 hours with a critical mission: to support students with a gift of any size through Pacific Gives. 

Last year, generous Pacificans contributed more than $1.8 million. This year, the community’s care and concern for students is greater than ever.

“Everyone is excited to see how far we can go for our students, and everyone wants to help. The energy surrounding this day is palpable,” said Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations. 

Donors who participated in early giving had their gifts up to $100 doubled by an early participation match. This year’s early giving effort includes 100% participation by the Board of Regents, President’s Cabinet and Deans.

Pacific Gives offers dozens of opportunities to multiply the impact of a single gift. One example comes from current and former Regents supporting the Pacific Inn. A key initiative for First Lady Jean Callahan, the Pacific Inn will transform a vacant sorority house on the Stockton Campus into boutique lodging for visiting alumni, parents and prospective students and families.

When 100 donors support the Inn, they will unlock $250,000 in gifts from Regent Jie Du ’90, ’93, Regent Evan Dreyfuss ’86 and former Regent Richard Fleming ’69. 

Fifty donors to the Pacific Food Pantry will unlock an additional $1,500 in challenge funds. Last year, the food pantry received enough donations to distribute more than 6,000 pounds of food to nearly 500 individuals. 

This year donors can also support the Career Closet, which provides students with new and gently used professional attire. Operated by the Career Services Center since 2017, the closet served 154 students in the fall, and has helped 119 (and counting) this spring.

When 25 donors give to the Career Closet, they’ll unlock a $1,500 challenge gift. Gifts will assist the closet with dry-cleaning costs while also increasing inventory, providing more attire that students can keep rather than needing to borrow and return it. 

“The career closet was a blessing for me during my first semester at Pacific,” one engineering student said. “I was able to practice professionalism at events and interviews with confidence, giving me many more opportunities to explore in my field.”

Donors can also invest in student life with a gift to the Community Involvement Program, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this year (100 donors to CIP will unlock $5,000), or to the Dr. Judith M. Chambers Endowed Scholarship for CIP Leadership. The scholarship was created in 2017 by the late Judy Chambers, Pacific’s inaugural vice president for Student Life.

Tiger fans can give to any athletic team, or to the Pacific Athletic Foundation Impact Fund, which provides resources and opportunities for all student-athletes.

The Christopher J. Pond Athletic Training Scholarship assists students in Pacific’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program. It is named for Chris Pond, assistant director of athletics for sports medicine and wellness, who has served the university for more than 30 years. 

“Pacific has a storied history of sports medicine professionals making an impact in every active environment, from college sports to clinics, industry, professional athletics and beyond,” Pond said. 

“Finances are a barrier for some students, but thanks to our alumni and friends supporting this scholarship, vital relief is provided, and the trickle-down effect will be evident in thousands of athletes for years to come.”

When 70 donors support the Pond Scholarship, they will unlock a $25,000 gift from Pacific parent William Kane. 

Pacific Gives brings together alumni and friends from across the nation and around the world. Last year, Pacificans in 45 U.S. states and 12 countries participated. Biedermann emphasizes that along with donations, last-minute ambassador sign-ups are still welcome.

“We all have something to give, and Pacific Gives demonstrates that everyone’s participation matters,” he said. “It truly underscores that we can do so much more for our students together than any one of us can do alone.”