LINCOLN — Donors gave more than $172.1 million to the University of Nebraska Foundation during the fiscal year that ended June 30 — the best year in the foundation’s 75-year history. More than $130.2 million was transferred to the university’s statewide system in the same period, also a record.
The previous best year was 2008 when $166.5 million was given.
Campaign for Nebraska passes $1 billion in gifts
Gifts to the foundation this fiscal year also supported the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities, the University of Nebraska’s comprehensive fundraising initiative. Gifts to the campaign have now exceeded $1 billion toward the goal of raising $1.2 billion by 2014 to meet high-priority opportunities and needs of the university.
The highest campaign priority is to ensure the university remains accessible by increasing private support for student financial aid and student global engagement opportunities. Increased support for retention and recruitment of top faculty members is a priority as well as is support for initiatives such as:
- Cancer research and treatment;
- Agriculture and life sciences;
- Water and natural resources;
- Early childhood education;
- Information technology; and
- Architectural engineering and construction.