The University of Oregon announced Wednesday that it has set a record by fundraising more than $3 billion.
The university raised $3.24 billion from 147,000 donors, a fundraising record for both the 125 year-old institution and for the state as a whole.
UO’s campaign began in 2014 when it set a goal to raise at least $2 billion from donors.
“In the face of unparalleled global challenges, our supporters continued to invest in the University of Oregon and its vital mission of discovery, teaching and service,” UO President Michael Schill said in a statement. “Exceeding our fundraising goal is just one of the success stories from this year. This campaign has been defined by transformational gifts that exemplify the forward-thinking vision our donors have for the university, and these funds are helping propel the University of Oregon to its next level of academic excellence that impacts both its students and the state.”
Over a similar time period — from 2015 through 2020 — the university received about $390 million from the state’s Public University Support Fund, according to Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
The university said the fundraising money is going toward renovating the campus, creating facilities for science, research and Black student life. It also funded other efforts such as $427 million in financial assistance for students through scholarships like the university’s PathwayOregon program, which serves students who are Oregon residents and have exceptional financial need.
“The true success of this campaign is demonstrated through the people it has helped — and their remarkable accomplishments. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have increased support for our faculty, as well as comprehensive student success programs such as PathwayOregon. This campaign has made the University of Oregon a place of discovery, innovation, diversity and unsurpassed excellence,” Schill said.
Copyright 2021 Oregon Public Broadcasting.
