University Of California Launches "Promise For Education" Crowdfunding For Student Scholarships

Academy Award-Winning Actor Jamie Foxx, Gov. Jerry Brown, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Bank of America and Facebook Among Notable Supporters

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of California today launched Promise for Education, a six-week crowdfunding campaign that will bring together students, faculty, alumni, celebrities, influencers and supporters to raise money for UC student scholarships.

The concept of Promise for Education is simple. Individuals make a personal promise – run a marathon, adopt a pet, volunteer, grow a beard – set a crowdfunding goal ($50, $100, $1,000 or more), then they share their promise through Facebook, email and other social media channels. Their friends are directed to PromiseforEducation.org, where donations can be made to see the promise fulfilled. All donations go directly to scholarships and grants for UC undergraduates with financial need.

Finding creative new ways to increase private support for student scholarships has taken on increasing importance in recent years as state funding for UC has been dramatically cut. Promise for Education is the latest addition to the university's Project You Can campaign, a systemwide effort to raise $1 billion for student support through 2014. To date, the campaign has raised more than $700 million.

"As stewards of one of the world's premier public university systems, we have a duty to make an excellent education accessible to all eligible Californians," Daniel M. Dooley, UC systemwide senior vice president for external relations, said today during a discussion of the program at a UC Board of Regents meeting. "We've established this program to ensure UC's doors continue to remain open to the next generation's leaders and to underscore the role we all play in helping young people achieve their aspirations and in advancing California's culture of innovation and civic engagement."

To encourage participation and engage the public in the effort, celebrities and notables including Jamie Foxx, Gov. Jerry Brown, David Spade, Matt Barnes, Wilmer Valderrama, Gabrielle Union, Sasha Alexander, filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke, rapper and spoken word poet Watsky, lead singer of the iconic California band the Beach Boys Mike Love, and UC Regent, legendary producer, studio executive and philanthropist Sherry Lansing, are appearing in a public service announcement and/or creating promises.

"Promise for Education is about championing a cause and committing to a goal, which is something the creative community values dearly," said Jay Sures, a UCLA alumnus who is partner/board of directors at United Talent Agency and vice-chair of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a charitable organization that collaborated on the campaign and helped rally the Hollywood community in support of UC. "By making a simple promise, together we can help deserving Californians pursue their goal of a world-class UC education and support our future leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators."

Promise for Education was created in partnership with noise, a creative agency focused on engaging 18- to 34-year-olds. Numerous sponsors are supporting Promise for Education, including Facebook, Bank of America, Spotify, and muzik, the creators of the world's first SmartHeadPhone.

"We are excited that Facebook can play a role in supporting an innovative program like Promise for Education," said Libby Leffler, strategic partner manager, Facebook. "Millions of college students and alumni use Facebook every day. We're thrilled that our platform provides the opportunity for supporters of Promise for Education to share their passion and commitment to the University of California."

"Helping low- and moderate-income students to become tomorrow's leaders with a world-class UC education is a goal we all share," said Janet Lamkin, Bank of America's California president. "As an extension of our longstanding partnership with the University of California on business, agricultural, environmental and other programs, we're proud to partner with the university on the Promise for Education campaign."

The dollars raised by Promise for Education will provide direct financial aid scholarships to undergraduate students from California who have a demonstrated financial need and will be in addition to dollars students receive through UC's traditional financial aid programs.

To make a promise today or to learn more, please visit promiseforeducation.org or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/PromiseForEducation.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
For almost 150 years, the University of California has educated the brightest minds and helped California become a beacon of innovation. UC's people connect the dots, exchange ideas, make advancements and unlock the secrets of the universe every day. They engage local governments and underserved schools, protect the environment and push the boundaries of health and science. These all add up to an immense impact on California and the world.

ABOUT FACEBOOK
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.

ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
Founded in 1942, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) is a multifaceted organization that occupies a unique place in the world of philanthropy. By mobilizing and leveraging the powerful voice and creative talents of the entertainment industry, as well as cultivating the support of organizations (public and private) and philanthropists committed to social responsibility, EIF builds awareness and raises funds, developing and enhancing programs on the local, national and global level that facilitate positive social change.

ABOUT BANK OF AMERICA
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. We serve approximately 51 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,300 retail banking offices and approximately 16,350 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users and more than 13 million mobile users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

ABOUT SPOTIFY
Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 20 million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world's music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever they want it. Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal.

Spotify is available in 28 countries: USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Mexico, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Iceland, with more than 24 million active users and more than 6 million paying subscribers. www.spotify.com

ABOUT MUZIK
muzik is the world's first SmartHeadPhone. The company will release its Smart On-Ear, In-Ear, SmartCable, and mobile app products exclusively at Best Buy on Oct 20. muzik will fundamentally change the way we experience, share and connect thru music. Check out muzikofficial.com and @muzikofficial for more. 

SOURCE Entertainment Industry Foundation