Frequently Asked Questions

 

General

What is Back the 'Birds?
Back the 'Birds is our 24-hour day of giving where the entire Thunderbird community rallies together to support our amazing student-athletes. It's one exciting day where we can help our teams reach new heights—both on the national and international stage and in the classroom.
When is Back the 'Birds?
Back the ‘Birds is on Tuesday, September 16. While the event lasts 24 hours, the celebrations will continue at our homecoming game on Friday, September 19.
How can I get involved?
Your involvement goes way beyond just making donations! Most participation happens online where you can give, share messages to boost your favourite Thunderbirds team and encourage others to join in. Your network is your superpower—share the excitement with your friends, family and networks using #UBCBacktheBirds.

Consider becoming a team champion to get special toolkits and resources that help you rally support for your favourite team (details coming soon!). The teams that succeed often have champions who rally the loudest. You can watch totals update in real-time on the Back the 'Birds website and help create an amazing day that showcases the spirit of our Thunderbird community.
What makes my donation on September 16 special?
On September 16, your Back the 'Birds gift can go even further—thanks to exciting challenges that unlock bonus money for your favourite team! Visit the Challenges page to see all the different ways you can help boost your team’s total. Some challenges reward donor participation, while others match individual gifts to multiply your impact.

Make a plan to make your gift go further—and then ask your network to join in to create even more support for your favourite team. The more support your team gets, the more bonus funds you can unlock together.

And don’t forget to check back regularly! There will be new challenges throughout the day that you can help unlock!
Why does UBC Thunderbirds Athletics have Back the ‘Birds?
Back the 'Birds is about more than fundraising—it’s about Thunderbird pride and showing what we can accomplish together. Over two amazing years, we’ve proven how powerful our community is when we unite behind our teams. This third annual Back the 'Birds brings that same energy with friendly competition between teams as we celebrate our team’s success on and off the field of play.
What difference can one day really make?
Days of giving are about the power of many. When our Thunderbird community joins forces, we can have a much greater impact than any one person could on their own. In just 24 hours, we can accomplish something truly amazing together.

Back the ‘Birds Challenges

What are Back the ‘Birds Challenges?
Challenges are a fun way to amplify your gift’s impact! They’re designed to get more people excited about giving on September 16. When a challenge hits its goal, bonus funds get unlocked for your team.
How are challenge funds allocated to Back the ‘Birds teams and causes?
The allocation of challenge funds varies with each challenge.

Making a Gift

How can I make a gift to Back the 'Birds?
Online
By Phone
  • Call us at 604-827-4111 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm PST

By Mail
  • Complete the Printable Gift Form
  • Make your cheque payable to the University of British Columbia
  • Mail to:
      UBC Annual Giving
      500-5950 University Blvd
      Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z3
    *If possible, please send your cheques in advance of September 16 to count towards the Back the 'Birds total.
Is it safe to give online?
Yes, UBC uses a secure payment processing system.
Is there a minimum donation amount?
No, every gift makes a difference. Official receipts in accordance with the rules of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Can I make more than one donation?
Yes! You can donate as many times as you like. To give to multiple teams in one credit card transaction, call us at 604-827-4111 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm PST. Otherwise, please visit the online pages of your favourite teams and give.

However, please note that for the purposes of Back the 'Birds Challenges, only one gift per donor per cause will be counted.
Can I make a donation before September 16?
Yes! All gifts before September 16 will count towards our Back the 'Birds total. Just keep in mind Back the 'Birds Challenges are time-sensitive and require gifts to be made through the website on September 16.

You can check the rules on the Challenges page to make sure you’re maximizing your impact.
Can I make a monthly donation to my favourite Thunderbirds team?
Yes, you can sign up for monthly giving on Back the 'Birds day. Just choose the monthly donation type and how much you would like to donate each month and we’ll do the rest. You’ll receive a tax receipt for your first gift automatically. Another tax receipt detailing all your monthly gifts will be sent in February next year.
Will I get a tax receipt?
Donors will be issued official receipts in accordance with the rules of the Canada Revenue Agency. The “Cardholder Name” field will be used on the tax receipt and must match the billing details you provide. If there is a discrepancy you will not be able to claim your tax receipt.
Where does the money go?
Every dollar raised during Back the ‘Birds goes directly to the team or cause you choose to support. Funds are deposited into each team’s account and are accessible to coaches to be used for the specific priorities they’re fundraising for—whether that’s new equipment, travel to key competitions, academic support or team-building opportunities. Your gift goes straight to work helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the field of play.
What will you do with my information?
Your information is collected under the authority of section 26(c) of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. UBC will use this information to process your gift, maintain contact and keep you up to date with university information, events and fundraising. We will not disclose your identity and contact information unless you authorize us to do so. UBC does not sell, rent or trade donor lists.

Impact and More Information

What impact has Back the 'Birds had in previous years?
Back the ‘Birds has seen tremendous growth since its inaugural year. In 2024, we raised over $394,000 with more than 2,000 donors participating. These funds directly supported equipment, travel to competitions, mental health initiatives and scholarships for our student-athletes. This success has helped our athletes compete at the highest levels, including the Olympic and World Championships, while also excelling in their academic pursuits.
How can I get in touch for more information?
We're here to answer any questions you might have! Feel free to reach out to us via [email protected].