February 5, 2025

Zipcar Opens Voting to Public for Student Groups Driving Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Initiatives in their Communities

February 5, 2025, BOSTON – Whether driven by a mission to eradicate period poverty and support women’s healthcare or provide for food insecure communities, student organizations are more important than ever, serving the needs of their on and off-campus communities through diverse, equitable and inclusive initiatives that may not be available otherwise.  

To support student groups and their local impact, Zipcar’s signature “Students with Drive” campaign is now asking for their communities, friends and family to weigh in and vote to drive each organization further with access to sustainable transportation via Zipcar and grants for their student organization and institution. 

How access to car sharing drives student groups further 

From hundreds of entries, Zipcar selected eight finalists and will award winners via public voting. The Grand Prize includes $5,000 to the student organization, $5,000 to the University general scholarship fund and $2,000 for the student organization to access Zipcars, with tiered prizes for second through eighth place totaling more than $30,000.  

While the mission of each organization varies, all of them impact students and their communities. The Dental Care Club at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA is just one example of the student-led organizations competing to drive their impact further: 

“DCC empowers students to give back by organizing community outreach events and creating dental kits. Every kit we create is a labor of love. Packed with toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, and even a personalized note, these kids serve as a reminder that someone cares about their well-being,” said Ghazhi Rizvi, student at the University of the Pacific and treasurer of the Dental Care Club. 

Thanks to Zipcar, we can easily travel beyond campus to shelters, city markets and other community sites. With just a few taps on our phones, we're able to reach those in need and make a meaningful difference. Together we are driving change, one kit, one smile and one mile at a time with Love Dental Care Club.”  

Vote Now for Students with Drive Finalists 

To vote, go to www.zipcar.com/swd and help a mission-driven young trailblazer impact their community and be sure to share with friends and family in your community! Voting starts February 5, 2025, and ends March 5, 2025. Finalists include: 

  • CODAdet, Gallaudet University, Washington D.C.: Driven to raise money for various outreach programs at Deaf schools around the country, for the Language First organization, and for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/CODA/KODA summer camps 

  • Dental Care Club, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA: Committed to raising dental health awareness and assisting students interested in a future in dentistry in addition to creating and distributing dental kits to homeless shelters and marginalized populations. 

  • El Table, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA: A self-sustaining student-run co-operative cafe dedicated to serving the wider Wellesley community, especially queer/trans siblings who are Black, Indigenous, and of color. 

  • exploretech.la, University of California, Los Angeles: committed to providing high school students from underserved communities in L.A. with access to computer science, engineering, and technology. 

  • FEAST Garden, Occidental College, Los Angeles: The Food Energy and Sustainability Team (FEAST) is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and equitable future through education and community collaboration. are essential for meaningful impact, ensuring access to vital resources for all. 

  • Healing Strokes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA: facilitates relaxation-based art therapy for stroke patients and their caregivers with the goal of alleviating post-stroke depression often experienced during recovery.  

  • Period, University of San Francisco: Strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.  

  • UC Berkeley Lightweight Rowing, University of California, Berkeley: Driven to make the sport of rowing accessible to UC Berkeley students, experienced or otherwise, while building a competitive, tightknit, mutually supportive program that can reproduce this goal for generations of students.  

About Zipcar for Universities  
For over twenty years, Zipcar has been a critical component of campus transportation and sustainability initiatives. Zipcar provides students, faculty, and staff, access to Zipcars to pursue off-campus activities and community initiatives, enriching the student life experience and supporting a university's impact on the community. Today, Zipcar enables campus communities across the nation to drive on-demand with gas, insurance options, dedicated parking, maintenance and up to 180 miles a day included in the cost of a reservation. To learn more, visit www.zipcar.com/universities. 

Complete rules for Students with Drive can be found here: https://www.zipcar.com/swdrules