Launched on Oct. 4, a new fundraising initiative will strengthen the university’s commitment to supporting students — especially those from low-income families — in all aspects of their educational experience. The Beyond Brilliant initiative seeks to raise $50 million campuswide over the next five years for scholarships and graduate fellowships, experiential learning opportunities, and health and wellness resources.

SPP has kicked-off to a great start to the Beyond Brilliant student initiative thanks to the generosity of three amazing donors. Their gifts also leveraged 1:1 match from the campuswide Anderson match thereby doubling their impact:

Michael Huerta, SPP Advisory Boardmember, has committed $100,000 for two-permanent endowed funds: $70,000 for the Michael P. Huerta Graduate Scholarship Endowed Fund; and $30,000 for the Michael Huerta SPP Ron Loveridge Public Service Endowed Fund to support undergraduate students in the School of Public Policy (SPP) who participate in the Loveridge’s Summer Fellowship Program in Sacramento.

Michael Sullivan, SPP Advisory Boardmember, has committed $100,000 for the Michael J. Sullivan Graduate Scholarship Endowed Fund to support SPP graduate students who demonstrate financial need and commitment to complete their Masters in Public Policy at UC Riverside.

Dr. Anil and Mrs. Gauri Garde has established The Garde Scholarship with a gift of $17,000 to express their commitment to supporting students in the School of Public Policy who experience financial hardship while striving to attain educational success.

These gifts triggered additional $217,000 in matching fund for a total of $434,000 in student support at SPP.