Our crowdfunding campaign has ended, but you can still support Global Development Lab by clicking here.
New 2026 Global Development Lab Crowdfunding Campaign!
Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for your support during our 2025 crowdfunding campaign for UCLA's Global Development Lab. Yesterday marked the beginning of our 2026 fundraising campaign and we hope to count on your support again!
Thanks to your generosity, last year we raised enough to award $1,000 in seed funding to KITS at UCLA, the winning project from our annual showcase, host our end-of-year event where student teams presented their initiatives to a panel of judges, and sustain the Lab’s day-to-day operations and programming.
KITS at UCLA is a fully student-run organization committed to expanding access to hands-on STEM education for elementary students in underserved LAUSD communities. Through utilizing UCLA student volunteers and campus makerspaces, KITS designs and distributes free monthly STEM kits to Title I schools, giving young students meaningful opportunities to explore, experiment, and develop interests in STEM fields where enrichment resources are often limited. Your continual support is what allows our students to turn these ideas into impact.
This year we are hoping to achieve a fundraising goal of $2,500 to cover seed funding for this year's winning project, showcase fees, and the Lab's basic expenses. We really appreciate any and all donations - every penny helps us grow the Global Development Lab and continue facilitating real impact on communities around the world. Click here to check our our current campaign page and make a gift. We thank you so much for your support!
UCLA Global Development Lab
$20
Transportation & Recognition
Cover the transportation costs for local projects! Winners last year were able to provide sexual education to classes of 30+ kids in underserved communities across Los Angeles County for just $20 in transportation costs! Additionally, every donor who provides a gift of $20+ will receive recognition at the end-of-year Project Showcase! (fully tax-deductible).
$50
General Lab Support + Shoutout
Your generous gift will provide immense support to the Global Development Lab and allow us to cover the costs of weekly meetings and other administrative costs that go into supporting the development of these critical interventions. We will also be giving you a shoutout on our social platforms after the campaign! (fully tax deductible!)
$100
Empowering Future Leaders
This gift will help fund the UCLA Bridge project, which connects undergraduate Bruins with disadvantaged high school students in Los Angeles. Through workshops and one-on-one mentorships, students will build the foundational skills needed to succeed in high school and beyond, helping them pursue a brighter future. Your generous gift will directly support students in areas where graduation rates are as low as 30%, empowering them to break barriers and achieve their educational goals. [fully tax-deductible!]
$300
Fighting Food Insecurity
This gift will support the development of the FREEateries app, designed to combat food insecurity among UCLA students. By consolidating updated information on free food resources both on and off-campus, the app will provide easy access to vital nutrition for the 37% of Bruin students facing food insecurity. Your generous contribution will help reduce stress, improve health, and enhance academic success for students in need, ultimately supporting their well-being and retention. [fully tax-deductible]
$500
Empowering Girls Against FGM
This gift will support the Coalition of Students Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) project, which empowers young girls in Tanzania and Sierra Leone through digital storytelling and advocacy. Your contribution will help fund training programs that teach girls how to use video to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM and advocate for their own rights. Additionally, your donation will support UCLA students who will intern with local NGOs to drive global awareness and change. [fully tax-deductible!]
$1,000
Fund an Entire Project!
Your generous gift will be given to the winning project as a grant at the end of the year so that they can implement their ethical and sustainable project. You will be able to see their project presented at our Project Incubator Showcase at the end of the school year and the direct impact you will be making with this gift. This gift can provide hundreds of underserved students in Los Angeles with critical sexual education, improve educational resources in underserved communities of the LA county, fund STI testing for hundreds of individuals, and change lives. (fully tax-deductible)