UB employees invest in what’s possible

Through Lead the Charge, UB faculty and staff invest in what’s possible through both their daily work and their philanthropy.

Whether supporting student scholarships, emergency funding, experiential learning, research or community engagement, employee donors demonstrate a shared belief in UB’s students and future.

Insights from Loyal Blue faculty and staff donors illustrate how gifts of any size can create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact.

Learn more in this Q&A.

Wooksoo Kim, professor, School of Social Work: "Giving should become part of our culture, whether it's a dollar a week or a larger gift. The important thing is that people see themselves as part of something bigger and understand that collectively they can make a difference."

Tommy Linares, Ed.M. '21, employer relations associate, Career Design Center:

"As employees, we see the determination and passion in our students every day. Giving is a way for us to invest in them. When students see faculty and staff participating, they see that we're invested in their success and in the UB story."

Jessica Driscoll, innovation sprints coordinator, Startup and Innovation Collaboratory:

"Faculty and staff giving matters because our students want to know that we believe in them. They're the reason we're here. Even small gifts help students succeed outside the classroom and show our commitment to UB's mission."

Driscoll:

"Investing in possibility is believing in someone even without knowing exactly what they'll accomplish. When you invest in students, you're investing in their future, their ideas and their goals. The results may go on to change the world."

Kim:

"Education is about the future. We educate future workers, thinkers, researchers, business owners and policymakers. What we invest in today creates the future we're trying to build."

Linares:

"Philanthropy removes barriers. It creates scholarship opportunities, helps students stay on campus during difficult times and lets them know that we care about them and want to see them succeed."

Linares recalls helping a student facing a family emergency complete an emergency fund application. Months later, the student returned, completed the semester and secured an internship through a career fair. The experience reinforced how a moment of support can change a student's path.

Driscoll:

"Donating to the Collaboratory can help a student venture launch a product. Donating to the emergency fund might help a student stay enrolled or secure housing. Every gift helps create opportunities that otherwise might not exist."

Linares:

"Your first gift doesn't have to be large. It can be whatever fits your budget and go toward something that is meaningful to you. Collectively, small gifts can make a big impact."

Driscoll:

"There are no small gifts. A few dollars can help a student continue their education, gain internship experience or access resources they need to stay on track. Students don't know whether a gift was $1 or $20,000. They simply know someone believed in them."

Kim:

"I give because I believe in what I do. That means teaching future social workers who will become change agents and conducting research that improves lives in our communities."

Linares:

"I've personally benefited from opportunities made possible by donors. Giving allows me to create those same opportunities for today's students, both through my work and through my philanthropy."

Driscoll:

"Donor support helped me attend college and participate in transformative experiences. Giving back to UB is important because I want today's students to have those same opportunities."

Kim, Driscoll and Linares share a common belief: Meaningful philanthropy is not measured solely by the size of a gift. Rather, it's about participation, shared purpose and creating opportunities for others.

By coming together to invest in what's possible, UB faculty and staff help ensure that students, researchers and communities continue to benefit from the transformative power of a UB education.

Are you True Blue? Choose your cause and show your UB pride by making a donation today.