Four students under a handwritten Thank You.

Giving Recognition

UC Santa Barbara's giving societies recognize the wide-ranging impact of our generous donors. Each gift to UC Santa Barbara can channel your passion and academic curiosity.

For inspiration, browse UC Santa Barbara’s Annual Reports of Private Philanthropy to enjoy stories that illustrate how philanthropy enhances research, teaching, programs and public service. To see your own vision fulfilled, we invite you to become a partner in innovation at UC Santa Barbara.

Benefits of membership in our giving recognition societies offer personal ways to engage with campus and include recognition in the Annual Report of Private Philanthropy. We invite you to explore the societies below!

The Gold Circle Society is UC Santa Barbara's premier recognition society, honoring philanthropists who have cumulatively invested more than $1,000,000 in this institution. UC Santa Barbara gratefully acknowledges and celebrates the profound impact brought about by these visionary leaders.

“It has been our great pleasure to support the Department of Economics over these many years as it has grown to be one of the largest departments on campus, inspiring many to continue in the academic field, and others to make important contributions in the business community.”

Thelma Mead

Read "Excellence in Economics"

Membership in the prestigious Lancaster Society is reserved for benefactors who have contributed $100,000 or more to the university over time, and have helped build UC Santa Barbara's world-class reputation for teaching, research and public service. The Society is named after Louis and Winifred Lancaster, civic-minded philanthropists who played a central role in establishing the UC Santa Barbara Foundation.

“Some students are policy wonks. Some enter the field because of their experience as youth. But what most students who choose public service careers have in common is their strong sense of practical idealism.”

Lorraine McDonnell

Read "Practical Idealists"

The Legacy Circle honors donors who have included UC Santa Barbara in their estate plans through some form of planned gift. Membership in the society is conferred upon those who have communicated to the university their intention to make a gift through a bequest, charitable trust, charitable gift annuity, pooled income funds, life insurance, retirement fund, or a gift of property with a retained life estate.

“Students have an ongoing interest in the humanities, the perennial big questions that confront human beings. It’s hard to think that a highly educated person today wouldn’t have at least some background in the study of religion.”

José Cabezón

Read "Understanding Buddhism"

The Chancellor's Council, UC Santa Barbara's premier annual giving program, recognizes donors of $1,000 or more to the university. Young alumni are also recognized at this level when giving $500 or more. These gifts are essential to maintaining campus excellence and may be restricted to support a specific department or unrestricted for use where the need is greatest.

“Gaby and I wanted to help first-generation students. To do it at UC Santa Barbara meant so much to me and my family. It’s a way to support diversity at the campus.”

Desi Speh '99

Read "First in Their Families"