Philanthropy
Cal has one of the highest percentages of low-income students in the nation for a research university. Thanks to fundraising and generous contributions from our members, campus life has improved for disabled students, student parents, veterans, former foster youth, transfer students, and others.
Section Club Speaker Series (SOS)
Special Campus Projects Program Awards
Elberg Emergency
Student Grants
International Events and Student Endowments
(I-House)
SOS keeps our members informed about our philanthropic activities. Through our semi-annual speaker series, campus unit Directors give us a glimpse into the mission and role of their programs and explain how they advise and support students in need.
The Special Campus Projects Program Awards provide meaningful support to university units (like CE3, Health Services, the Disabled Student Program, Underground Scholars, and University Village) with funds for programs and equipment that will make a difference for groups of Cal’s most vulnerable students.
Elberg Emergency Student Grants provide financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students facing unexpected, non-recurring financial crises. Campus staff refer eligible students for grants that, when granted, enable continued studies without disruption.
We support several I-House events, along with two University-managed endowments: the Undergraduate Scholarships Endowment (merit- and need-based scholarships) and the Endowment for I-House Graduate Students (room and board scholarships for international students with financial need). In 2025, we received I-House's Betsy and Sheridan Warrick Award for Community Service.
Testimonials From Students
Did you know 12,000 to 13,000, or 38%, of Cal students are underserved? Over our nearly 100 years, thousands of students in campus support programs have been aided by the Section Club’s awards.
The Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence (CE3), a campus program of ten units that support marginalized students, produced this video that showcases the Section Club as their guardian angel partner. The human stories from marginalized Cal students facing adversity, showcase how the CE3 programs inspired them to thrive and graduate. Our Elberg Emergency Student Grant program helps take the financial burden off them when they are in crisis. Thanks to our giving mission and the generous nature of our Club members, we change students’ lives!
Letters from Students
​"I write to you with extreme gratitude for granting me financial assistance in these stressful times. The weight you are taking off my shoulders is immense, and the impact you’ve had will carry on forever. I can only hope to pay it forward to others in
need, and help out the same way you’ve done with me today.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity for students like myself. You’ve truly touched my heart and the heart of my family with this action."
​
“I would like to start by saying thank you for granting me this emergency assistance. I am extremely grateful. As a first-generation, low income college student, unexpected school expenses can really mess things up for me. The check that I received from you will help alleviate a lot of the burden that I’ve been carrying during these challenging times. Thanks to you, I am able to use your assistance to worry less about my financial situation and focus more on my school.”
For more information email:
Fundraising
Our major fundraiser, "The Beehive," along with year-round member donations, supports our philanthropy efforts. The 59th annual Beehive Luncheon and Auction will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2027. Members and their guests socialize while raising money for Cal students. Become a member and enjoy lunch, bid on silent auction items, and shop our tables of gently used jewelry, collectibles, crafts, and treats. Raffle tickets offer chances to win gift baskets!​
For more information email:
beehive@sectionclub.org