Philanthropy
Support Offered to Students (SOS)
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.
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.
Members attend Section Club Speaker Series featuring Sr. Executive Director of CE3 Julian Ledesma, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion Division, Fabrizio Mejia, seated.
Elberg Emergency
Student Grants
International Events and Student
Endowments
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 two University-managed endowments:
The Undergraduate Scholarships Endowment awards scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.The Endowment for I-House Graduate Students provides partial room and board scholarships to international students with demonstrated financial need.​​ In 2025, we received the Betsy and Sheridan Warrick Award for Community Service from I-House.
Testimonials From Students
Did you know 12,000 to 13,000, or 38%, of Cal students are underserved? Julian Ledesma, Senior Executive Director of the ‘Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence’ (CE3), shared a video at the Section Club Speaker Series that touched the hearts of our audience with the human stories from Cal students facing adversity and how CE3 programs inspired them to thrive. Two of the students we have supported are highlighted in this video.
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 58th annual Beehive Luncheon and Auction will be held on February 24, 2026. 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