Our Crowdfunding Groups
UMD Alternative Breaks (AB) engages student teams in short-term, substance-free, service-learning experiences that address the most pressing social, political and economic struggles of our global community. During winter, spring and summer breaks in 2014-15, approximately 370 students will conduct over 11,500 hours of service through 27 Alternative Break experiences in 7 different countries. The quantifiable hours of service, however, are far less significant than the profound impact these trips have on our lives as student participants and the community partners with which we work.
We are convinced that AB is one of the most profound and life-changing experiences on campus! Being surrounded by motivated, thoughtful and supportive peers is a privilege and what college is all about- finding your passions, connecting with others and figuring out how we can change the world together!
We need your support to help make these experiences possible for more students by contributing to the Alternative Break Scholarship Fund. So many students work really hard to pay for tuition, housing and every day expenses but still have unmet financial need. While the experience of AB is something they want to be a part of, the cost can be a limiting factor. By donating to our LaunchUMD project, you will be providing scholarships for an additional 35 students with financial need to participate in Alternative Breaks! AB scholarship funds go towards the costs of students’ airfare or ground transportation, meals, lodging and service project supplies for their AB experience.
Our AB teams will be engaged in a variety of activities identified by the communities in which we are working including teaching lessons and completing projects with high school students in inner city Philadelphia, creating nutrition and wellness activities for Boys and Girls Clubs in Huntington, WV, shaking oyster shells and depositing reef balls in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and renewing and constructing community gardens in Atlanta. With crowdfunding support from LaunchUMD, you can help us make these wonderful opportunities accessible for more students regardless of socioeconomic status and financial need.
By supporting the AB program, you'll be impacting communities near and far and developing students into Active Citizens who are bound to have long-lasting impact on our world.
Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please see your tax advisor for details.
Teams need materials such as books, tools, paint brushes and gloves to complete projects with community members. This gift would cover project supplies for an Alternative Breaker.
Family style meals are key part of AB experiences, building relationships among our team and community members! This gift will cover the cost of the week's meals for one Alternative Breaker.
AB teams live simply through the week by staying in churches, community centers and guest houses. This gift provides lodging for one student during the AB trip!
This gift will help our teams get to and from the communities they serve by covering the cost of gas for a van full of Alternative Breakers!
This gift would cover the entire trip cost for 1-2 Alternative Breakers participating in U.S. experiences!
AB teams partner with communities across the globe. This gift would cover an international flight for one Alternative Breaker!