The University of California Los Angeles launches its own crowdfunding platform to support innovative projects.

Faculty and students at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) now have a new way to raise cash for innovative projects following the launch of institution’s own crowdfunding platform.

UCLA Spark will provide a platform for faculty and official student organisations to reach out to potential donors to support various programmes around campus through the internet and social media.

The platform launched on 18 February with five projects, one of which was already 61% funded towards its $10,000 total within two days.

Nancy Katano, executive director of corporate, foundation and research relations at UCLA, said: “We recognised the need to address some of the more unique funding opportunities that provide vital resources to a myriad of projects and promote them in a fresh, new way.”

Jarrett Oakley, assistant director of UCLA Spark, said: “UCLA faculty and official student organizations now have at their disposal an important tool to inspire and connect with our alumni, donors and the public at large in a meaningful way — contributing directly to their projects and fuelling their success.”