Invest in V&E
Donations to the Department take many forms and assist us in many ways. Scholarship monies allow our students to concentrate on their studies. In-kind contributions from industry suppliers assist our vineyard and winery facilities. Research funding allows faster solutions to industry problems. In all these ways and many more, private contributions make a critical difference, as we strive to maintain the excellence of our teaching and research programs. Donors themselves gain the satisfaction that their gifts greatly enhance the Department's worldwide reputation for excellence in education.
Viticulture and Enology Donor Opportunities
Private support is very important to the Department of Viticulture and Enology and the University of California at Davis. Contributions and gifts over and above the State of California's core support provide a valuable margin of excellence for our students and faculty. In today's challenging economic times, gifts to the University represent a vital investment in the future, a way to enhance knowledge and understanding that can transform society, and invigorate business sectors such as those of grapes and wine. Many of our donors tell us that their gifts have brought great personal satisfaction in addition to fostering particular interests and providing favorable tax benefits. There are many ways of making a gift to the Department to help foster excellence and there are many areas of need to which gifts may be directed at the discretion of the donor.
Needs and Uses of Donations
The Department has many needs for private support. The Wine Spectator Scholarships are an excellent example of how a gift can make a significant difference in the outcome of an educational experience. Along with scholarship funding, some other examples of previous contributions include Endowed Faculty Chairs and equipment donations, as well as gifts of cash, securities, and personal property. All of these generous donations help the Department to continue to produce the best grape growers and winemakers as well as to maintain our world-class research and teaching programs.
The Department is currently seeking to interest donors in contributing to our Oakville Experimental Research Facility in the Napa Valley. This state-of-the-art grape and wine research facility is now completed and is in need of support to retire its construction loan. In addition, long-term teaching and research facility needs are now being reviewed carefully as part of the Department's Long-Term Strategic Plan. New and improved facilities on and off-campus are essential to keep pace with the projected needs of the grape and wine industries in the 21st century.