Three new projects selected for spring crowdfunding

Crowdfund UNC Charlotte, an online platform to generate financial support for various campus ventures, returns this month with three new initiatives.

The fundraising projects are student- and alumni-driven initiatives with guidance from faculty or staff members; proposals are submitted to the Division of University Advancement before being promoted through Crowdfund UNC Charlotte.

Spring 2016 Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects are “Operation SAA Uniforms,” “Women’s Soccer Team Europe Trip” and the “Burkhalter-Rassel Scholarship.”

UNC Charlotte Student Alumni Ambassadors have served campus for more than 30 years, and the group is known for the pride it takes in representing Niner Nation at campus events and other functions organized by the Alumni Association, Chancellor’s Office and various departments/units. To help represent the University in a professional manner, the ambassadors wear a uniform that consists of a dress shirt, scarf/tie, black skirt or pants and a blazer. To offset the cost of the uniforms, the group is seeking donations through crowdfunding.

To prepare for the 2016-17 season, the Charlotte 49ers women’s soccer team will travel to England and Ireland. Members of the team are creating a crowdfunding campaign to raise a portion of the funds needed for the trip. While abroad, they will play local competitions, including one against the Irish national team. Donations will fund soccer field rentals, transportation expenses, lodging and meals.

David Burkhalter served as city manager of Charlotte from 1971-81. When he died, his widow donated a small sum to the University’s Master of Public Administration program to start a scholarship. MPA students and alumni are seeking donations to endow a scholarship that honors Burkhalter and Gary Rassel, a former MPA director and faculty member who taught in the program from 1982 to 2012.

Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects are active for 30 days; online donations will be accepted from Wednesday, March 16, through Thursday, April 14.

“The students, alumni, faculty and staff members involved with these projects are passionate about them, because they are personally vested in them,” said Shayna Long, assistant director of annual giving. “Crowdfund UNC Charlotte, which takes advantage of all the tools that social media offers, is a great way for these groups to reach others across campus, as well as alumni and supporters beyond the University.”