More than $100 million was raised for the University of California, Irvine in private gifts and grants for the 2005-06 fiscal year, a 42-percent increase over last year. This amount sets an all-time fundraising record in a single year, not only for the campus, but also for any organization or institution in Orange County. This is a 190-percent increase over the last four years, and UCI's donor base has increased 47 percent over the same period. UCI also received a record number of gifts - more than 25,000 - and twice as many alumni gifts as last year.
The record-breaking fundraising year is the result of the community increasing its support of UCI's programs and achievements across many disciplines. Additionally, gifts to the New University Hospital exceeded the campus's 2005-06 goal by more than $5 million, bringing the hospital campaign total to $30 million. Two years remain to reach the $50 million fundraising target.
"At no time in the university's history has the community more decisively, warmly and generously embraced this campus and its important work," said Chancellor Michael V. Drake. "I am extremely grateful for the vital partnership we share with the community. Orange County's citizens are intellectually curious, engaged with the campus, and are showing their critical support in record numbers through their generosity and service."
"We are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of generous support from our alumni and friends," said Tom Mitchell, vice chancellor of university advancement and president of The University of California, Irvine Foundation, a volunteer organization composed of community and business leaders that secures and manages private support for the campus's priorities.
Private gifts and grants contribute to the university's success by helping it achieve academic and research excellence in areas not fully funded by state sources. Significantly surpassing the previous record of $87.9 million raised in 1999-2000, this year's gifts and grants will enhance UCI's efforts to attract the best graduate students, recruit and retain top faculty, provide students with an ideal learning environment, and enable research that offers large-scale benefits to society.
"The campus is vitally committed to using the increased funding to making an important difference to the citizens of our county, state, nation and world," Drake said. "This record-breaking year is a milestone that illustrates how lives are improved when the campus and community share a vision for making the world a better place."
About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.
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