CU Boulder pledges $1.6M match in coronavirus relief campaign
The University of Colorado Boulder will match up to $1.6 million donated to help students, faculty members and staff impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic as part of a fundraising campaign launched Tuesday.
The Buffs Together campaign includes two emergency funds, one for students and one for faculty and staff, as well as a student-led crowdfunding campaign and a volunteer portal.
“Through Buffs Together, we aim to connect all the good works happening to support our fellow Buffs in need of help,” chancellor Phil DiStefano said in a statement. “Despite the current distances between us, we stand shoulder to shoulder — just like we always have. We’re facing the global coronavirus pandemic as a community: We are all Buffs together.”
The campaign was the culmination of grassroots efforts across campus and an outpouring of people volunteering to help students and employees in need, said Jon Leslie, senior associate vice chancellor of strategic communications.
The need became more apparent when campus leaders found out 145 students had already requested emergency financial assistance. CU Boulder usually sees only a handful of those requests every year, according to spokeswoman Julie Poppen.
The student emergency fund already existed to help students in difficult situations, ranging from needing emergency housing assistance to help buying food. That need has increased because of the pandemic, Leslie said, and now might include purchasing technology to complete all classes online or paying for groceries or rent after being laid off.
Students typically receive one-time grants of up to $500, but students who need more money will be considered, Leslie said. The employee fund will work in a similar way by providing up to $500 for employees who need help paying for housing, groceries, health care and other critical needs.
Both funds were created after the 2013 floods.
CU Boulder’s matching donation will come from insurance rebate money and vending machine revenue.