Here’s What CU Boulder Students Say about Philanthropy at CU Boulder: A Q&A Roundtable with Student Leaders
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March is Buffs All In when CU Boulder celebrates the impact we can achieve through collective giving. At its heart, philanthropy is about people coming together and supporting causes that are meaningful to them.
Philanthropy builds a community of support where students are part of something bigger together.It is in action all around CU Boulder, fostering Buff pride and making our campus a better place.
To demonstrate the power of collective action and giving back, we asked different philanthropic student leaders to share their stories of impact and the ways they are building CU Boulder’s culture of giving — one action, one donation and one event at a time.
CU Students featured in Philanthropy Q&A:
Ari Hadel (Eco, PoliSci’28), Vice President of Community Relations of Pi Beta Phi
Andres Bustindui (MechEng’27), Member of Herd Leadership Council and
Rachel Gaydos (SLHSci’26), Co-President of
Clementine Cerai (Soc’26), Vice President of
Sierra Dunlap (MCDBio’28), President of
Natalia Matthews (StratComm’28), President of and Pi Beta Phi member
How did you get involved in your current position?
Bustindui: “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself on campus. I’ve always been drawn to leadership and initiative, and when I saw the opportunity to contribute, I stepped up. I believe that if you care about your community, you don’t wait for someone else to act. You take responsibility and help make it happen.”
Gaydos: "I have been involved with Special Olympics for nearly a decade. When I transferred to CU Boulder, I made it my mission to create a Special Olympics program. I helped get this club off the ground, but it could not be where it is today without students and community members continuously showing up and dedicating their time to the success and wellbeing of the club. "
Matthews: “I got involved by reaching out to the head of the non-profit to see if Letters of Love was still affiliated at CU. After learning it wasn’t, I took the initiative this past fall to contact campus organizations like CUSG and CSI to follow the steps to complete the reinstatement process. Eventually, I was able to complete the entire reinstatement process to proudly make Letters of Love a recognized student organization at CU Boulder again.”
CU Special Olympics club
What does philanthropy mean to you?
Hadel: “Philanthropy is about giving back to causes that have personal significance but also allows people to learn from and become more aware of prevalent issues that affect the people in our communities.”
Gaydos: “Philanthropy means using your time, skills and voice to create opportunities for others. It’s not just about donating money; it’s about showing up consistently and investing in the people around you. It’s about building relationships within your community.”
Dunlap: “Philanthropy means giving back without the expectation of recognition or a reward in return. It means doing something for the good of your community. Nothing compares to seeing the direct difference you’ve made in someone else’s life, no matter how small the action may seem.”
Matthews: “Philanthropy means utilizing leadership and membership to create a meaningful impact for a greater cause. I’ve seen how small acts of kindness, like writing a letter, can make someone’s day and make them feel truly seen as well as cared for. Philanthropy isn’t just a singular event or requirement to me; it’s a mindset rooted in empathy and collective action.”
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What do you see as the impact of philanthropy on CU Boulder as a community?
Bustindui: "Philanthropy strengthens CU by creating unity beyond academics and social groups. It gives students a shared purpose. When organizations rally around a cause, it builds empathy, leadership and accountability. It also shifts the narrative, showing that students aren’t just here to study or socialize, but to contribute and make a difference in Boulder and beyond.”
Ceria: “Philanthropy allows our CU Boulder community to feel more united through the common goal of creating a campus that is accessible to all people. With CU Special Olympics, we create a space where people can connect with others through sports and the common goal of growing as an athlete, being friends to all and building others' confidence on and off the court.”
Dunlap: “It brings people together. CU is a huge campus, and it is easy to feel small, but being involved in something that directly brings the community together makes you feel more connected. It even just provides you with another person to recognize and smile at!”
Matthews: “Philanthropy tremendously strengthens CU Boulder as a community by creating connections across different organizations and communities. When students come together to support a cause they truly care about, it creates an amazing community rooted in shared values rather than competition. It helps remind us as students that we’re part of something much bigger, and when we all come together we can make a big impact.”
What can students do now to get involved or give back?
Bustindui: “Everyone can engage in philanthropy; all they need to do is be willing and take action. Students can begin by volunteering at events, going to fundraisers or joining service-oriented organizations. To make an impression, you don't need a title. Being present on a regular basis counts.”
Gaydos: “In many ways, showing up is giving back. Your time, energy and consistency are what make programs like CU Special Olympics possible. The connections and sense of belonging our members experience come directly from students who commit to being there for them.”
Dunlap: “Join a philanthropic club! There are so many, and we often attempt to collaborate, so there is definitely something for everyone! Even just showing up once will make a huge difference.”
Join us during March to learn more about how philanthropy impacts campus.