I was lucky to get accepted as an undergrad at UC Berkeley in the 1980’s, only to waste that chance by choosing an east coast competitor that offered snow. However, it turns out that snow, as a feature of the iconic undergraduate experience, is vastly overrated! This summer, when offered another chance to be at Berkeley, I wisely took it. In my new position as director of Parent and Family Philanthropy, I’ve had the opportunity to help parents and families participate in the Berkeley experience, and I haven’t looked back since.
In my role, I am committed to helping Berkeley families come together as a unique community to impact the life of the university. One great way to do this is by giving to the Cal Parents Fund, a critical resource for Chancellor Christ when faced with an immediate need or can’t-miss opportunity to enhance academics, student support and faculty excellence. Supporting the Cal Parents Fund helps Berkeley remain the finest public university in the world, a place of unparalleled challenge and opportunity for your students, their classmates and all those who will follow them.
When parents hear about giving opportunities, they might think that it takes a gigantic amount of money to make a difference. However, I truly believe in the principle of the personally-meaningful gift. Every Berkeley supporter – student, alum, parent, staff, faculty, or friend – is invited to give an amount that reflects their resources and enthusiasm for the university’s mission. If everyone makes a personally-meaningful gift, our contributions will range vastly in size but not in spirit. Together, we will enable the university to be all that it can be.
Another great way for parents to engage with Berkeley is through the Cal Parents Board. As you may have heard, the role of the Cal Parents Board is to champion Berkeley across the communities where Board members have impact, to provide ongoing support for the Cal Parents Fund through annual gifts and support for Big Give (our annual 24-hour fundraising blitz held in March) and to volunteer time in service to the University. The pandemic required us to severely limit volunteer opportunities. Now, as life takes on a “new normal,” we are exploring the range and types of volunteer opportunities available and how best to make them available to you.
Over the years, I’ve watched stepchildren, nieces and nephews go off to college, including one to Berkeley and three to other UCs. I’m immensely grateful for the challenges and opportunities the UC system has offered to the young people I love. I want you and all Cal parents to be able to say the same.
I’ve been lucky to work for outstanding organizations doing crucial work – building affordable homes, healing survivors of political torture, educating children, promoting interfaith peace. But in the breadth and depth of its impact, Berkeley exceeds the sum of their parts. Whether by curing disease, overcoming poverty, preparing our next generation of great artists, athletes and activists, Berkeley is transforming the world. Not only your student, but you too, are a lifelong member of this extraordinary enterprise. Thank you for your involvement as a Cal parent, and Go Bears!
Mary Kelley serves as Director of Parent and Family Philanthropy at Berkeley