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.

“In a community like Santa Barbara, we’re all connected. UC Santa Barbara has always been on the cutting edge of environmental issues, and the university has always been closely tied to the technology community. Wildfire resilience collaborations are important because we’re all intertwined.”

Arnie Brier, Yardi Systems

Read "Everything Intertwined"

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.

“Diane and I feel strongly about supporting youth. We’re always thinking about how we can spur collective action or work in collaborations with other organizations, like UC Santa Barbara. It’s hard to move the needle by yourself, but together, you can do more.”

Mike Christian

Read "Moving the Needle"

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.

“One of our goals for the collection was to make it accessible to scholars and the public, and we found the perfect place at UC Santa Barbara.”

Kim Pananides

Read "‘The Doors of Perception’"

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.

Chancellor’s Patrons
The Chancellor’s Patrons are Chancellor's Council members who have made annual donations of at least $1,000 for five consecutive years, or more. UC Santa Barbara is honored to recognize the loyal generosity of our Chancellor’s Patrons.

“At first, I gave a scholarship of $1,500 because that was the amount that I needed to study abroad. I’ve been giving more every year since in both my and my husband’s names. It’s incredibly meaningful to me.”

Jim Maloney '84

Read "To Germany and Back Again"