A Decade of ‘Launching’ Terp Projects to Success

Blasting science experiments into space. Sending students to study abroad in Cuba, England and Vietnam. Providing local moms participating in a research study care packages filled with newborn essentials.

What do these projects have in common? The support of University of Maryland community members through the crowdfunding platform LaunchUMD, now celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Students, faculty and staff have raised more than $2.2 million from nearly 22,000 donors for 300-plus research endeavors, scholarships, student groups and more. No fundraiser has been too small or too big, whether it’s sending students to a professional conference or buying a new vehicle for Terps Racing.

“It’s a way to have immediate impact on causes that really resonate,” said Annual Giving Manager Bria Bennett.

As UMD marks Giving Tuesday, part of a global post-Thanksgiving focus on generosity, Terps can make a difference for 23 new student projects on LaunchUMD, such as helping the National Society of Black Engineers recruit and retain underrepresented students or supporting an undergraduate research team studying the adverse side effects of HIV treatments.

And for those looking to give back to their own college or school, or contributing to university priorities like the Campus Pantry, the UMD Student Crisis Fund or the Maryland Promise Program, the new UMD Giving website makes it easy to find topics, programs and initiatives that match your interests.

Take a look back at high-impact LaunchUMD projects from the last 10 years:

Get UMD Biofilms on the next Space-X (2017)
Raised $2,125 (106% of goal)

To better protect astronauts from biofilms—slimy bacteria that can cause infections and contaminations—two undergrads created an experiment to reduce their growth. As finalists in UMD’s Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 11, Audrey (Mannuel) Wildermuth ’19 and Colton Treadway ’19 were guaranteed a spot on SpaceX-12, but had to raise funds to buy experiment materials. Their project took off on Aug. 14, 2017.

“Watching the rocket launch in Florida will forever be one of my top memories from UMD,” said Wildermuth, who has since earned a medical degree and a master’s degree in biotechnology. “No doubt it helped paved the way for more opportunities since college.”

Reducing Maternal Health Disparities in Prince George’s County (2022)
Raised $3,121 (208% of goal)

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. To better understand the reasons for this stark disparity and explore new solutions, the undergraduate research Gemstone team Black Mamas Matter interviewed Black mothers and medical professionals across Prince George’s County.

In hopes of more effectively recruiting and compensating participants for their time, the students turned to crowdfunding. In under 24 hours, more than 100 donors stepped forward allowing the team to donate diapers and baby wipes to community organizations and give gift cards to mothers who completed their survey. “The support we received from LaunchUMD was truly heartwarming,” said Esohe Owie ’25.

Ian Mather's 185-Mile Walk along the River Thames (2023)
Raised $8,590 (171% of goal)

To raise money for the Mather Family International Travel Scholarship, animal and avian sciences Professor Emeritus Ian Mather put his money where his feet were. He trekked along the Thames River in England for 22 days, asking fellow donors to pledge money for his journey, which took him past iconic landmarks like the Globe Theater, as well as wild otters and rare white deer, and castles and courts.

“Throughout my career, education and international travel have been my passion,” he wrote in his fundraiser description. “In combination they are one of the best ways to defeat prejudice, foster peace and promote international understanding.”

Mighty Sound of Maryland Band Van (2014)
Raised $30,315 (378% of goal)

What would a Terps football game be without UMD’s iconic marching band playing the victory song at every touchdown and transforming Top 40 hits into toe-tapping halftime performances? But 10 years ago, the Mighty Sound of Maryland was struggling to transport heavy instruments and other equipment to practice each day, because its rusty old van was on its last legs, or wheels.

The band’s leadership set its sights on an $8,000 used van, then blew past that goal in days, and ended up with more than $30,000, enough to buy a brand-new vehicle.