The Vantuna Research Group (VRG) was founded in 1974 by Dr. John Stephens, Jr., and our mission is to improve ecosystem health and services while incorporating undergraduate students in all aspects of research. The VRG has led the way in training future marine scientists and performing ecological and environmental studies throughout the Southern California Bight. Our research program features the longest continuous study of rocky reefs in the world and the largest spatial scale studies of reefs in the state. Additionally, we recently completed construction of Palos Verdes Reef, the single largest contribution to improve marine ecosystems in the history of Los Angeles, and the largest reef restoration project in the history of the California.
Your gift will help propel undergraduate research forward and build a sustainable source of revenue for these critical eco preservation efforts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay a pledge payment through this form?
Payments to existing pledges can be made through this form. Please provide pledge details, if you have them, in the comments section.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes, we’ll send a receipt to the email address you provide on the giving form. The receipt will include your donation details, such as the gift date, amount, and any beneficiary information.
Is this donation tax deductible?
Occidental College is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
Occidental College EIN: 95-1667177
Is my donation secure?
Yes. Your security and privacy are our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL technology to keep your information safe and secure.
How do the donor-covered fees work?
You can elect to cover the platform and transaction fees associated with your donation to help offset the cost and ensure that 100% of your intended gift goes directly to Oxy. Covering the fees is completely optional. Our fundraising platform, Classy, retains a 3% platform processing fee per transaction. Here is a breakdown of the additional fees per transaction: Most major credit cards: 2.2% + $0.30; American Express: 3.2% + $0.30; ACH: 1% + $0.30; PayPal and Venmo: 2.5% + $0.30.
Will my employer match my contribution?
To see if your employer matches gifts, search for your employer in the 'Company' field on the giving form. If you do not see your employer listed, please contact your company’s human resources department. If your company matches gifts, you will receive an email from us following the completion of your gift transaction with instructions on how to facilitate the matching gift. If your company does not offer matching gifts, you will not receive this email. Thank you for amplifying your impact!
Do you sell or share my contact information?
No. We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with anyone. We also do not send mailings on behalf of other organizations. We will only share personal information if you give us specific permission to do so.
