University of Virginia’s ‘Honor the Future’ Campaign Reaches 250,000 Individual Donors

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan announced at the recent Board of Visitors meeting that the school’s “Honor the Future” fundraising campaign has met its participation goal of 250,000 individual donors.

“This milestone is particularly meaningful since it represents the UVA community’s belief in the future of the University,” Ryan said. “Whether it’s to provide scholarships for talented students, promote faculty research or enable medical discoveries, these gifts will inspire others and strengthen UVA’s alumni network and global community. I have the deepest gratitude for our generous supporters who continue to show their passion for the University.”

Launched publicly in 2019 to coincide with the University’s bicentennial, the campaign – the largest in University history – crossed the $5 billion threshold in December 2023, 18 months ahead of its June 30, 2025, target.

Among the campaign’s achievements:

  • More than 120,000 alumni made a gift during the campaign.
  • More than 139,000 donors made their first gifts to the University.
  • Campaign gifts came from donors in all 50 states, four U.S territories and 111 countries.

Most of the gifts – 97% – were under $10,000, while 94% were under $5,000.

“When you consider we have approximately 275,000 living alumni, this achievement holds even more significance,” Mark Luellen, UVA’s vice president for advancement, said. “Our success would not have been possible without the generosity and support of so many of our alumni and friends. I will be forever grateful for the commitment they have shown to helping us meet this goal and support the goals of the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan.”

Excellence Here Goes Everywhere, To Be Great and Good In All We Do
Excellence Here Goes Everywhere, To Be Great and Good In All We Do

The campaign priorities extend Universitywide, supporting every school and unit in the Academic Division, Virginia Athletics, UVA Health and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Funds are benefiting new and existing programs and providing key support for capital projects, including:

  • The School of Data Science
  • The Center for the Arts, which will include the Tessa and Richard Ader Performing Arts Center
  • The Karsh Institute of Democracy
  • Shannon Library renovations
  • The Contemplative Commons
  • The McIntire School of Commerce expansion project
  • The Virginia Athletics Master Plan, including the Molly and Robert Hardie Football Operations Center and the Harrison Family Olympic Sports Center
  • The Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology

“For a campaign that was launched six years ago, this milestone reflects the sustained engagement and dedication of the University’s community of alumni, families and friends,” campaign chair Peter Grant said. “I would also like to recognize the ongoing efforts of advancement staff and the dedicated members of the Campaign Executive Committee who helped make this possible. We are fortunate to have the extraordinary community of generous alumni and friends who support this University.”

The “Honor the Future” Campaign – which currently stands at $5.7 billion – will officially conclude June 30. For information, visit giving.virginia.edu.

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