On November 26, generous donor contributions enabled the University of Connecticut Foundation to cross the $800 million milestone in the Because of UConn fundraising campaign, surpassing the halfway mark on the path to $1.5 billion in the university’s most ambitious fundraising effort in its 144-year history.
The Because of UConn campaign, announced publicly in April 2025, seeks to secure philanthropic support to transform students’ lives, spark innovation, improve health and sustainability, and strengthen Husky pride. After the public launch, the UConn Foundation recorded one of its strongest fourth quarters and its strongest first quarter on record. In total, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million since publicly launching Because of UConn.
“This campaign reflects the bold vision for UConn’s future in our university’s 10-year strategic plan — one where every student thrives, research drives real-world solutions, and our University powers a stronger Connecticut,” says UConn President Radenka Maric. “Thanks to the donors of this campaign, we are making measurable progress toward key targets to increase our six-year graduation rate to 90% and grow our endowment to $1 billion.”
“We can already see the visible impact of the campaign across the University — more students focused on learning instead of financial stress, faculty empowered to pursue bold ideas, a renewed focus on research and patient care that saves lives, and athletic achievements that reinforce Husky pride and unite the entire community,” says Amy Yancey, President and CEO of the UConn Foundation. “It is because of our donors, who care so deeply about our university, that UConn is positioned to grow dramatically in the years ahead.”
Donors have given more than $320 million for scholarships and fellowships to expand student access and affordability, providing more than 29,000 scholarships and fellowships to students since the campaign began. The Foundation is focused on improving student success through scholarship support, combined with increased support for student health, career readiness, and life skills, which will reduce students’ barriers to graduation and prepare them for lifelong success.
“Without the support of donors, I wouldn’t be on the UConn campus,” says first-generation nursing student Nicole Montalvo ’28 (NUR). “I remember the stress and uncertainty of trying to figure out if I could afford college. The moment I saw I’d received a scholarship award in my student portal, my family and I cried tears of joy. Because of donors’ generosity, I’m thriving on campus as a student leader, creating pathways for the next generation of students like me.”
More than $337 million has been raised in the campaign to boost academic and innovation excellence by providing faculty and graduate students with the resources to pursue solutions to pressing challenges in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. Since the campaign began, donors have pushed the number of endowed faculty positions to 125 — providing steady funding sources for faculty to undertake groundbreaking research and enabling UConn to attract and retain top scholars. UConn research drives innovation across the state, creating a $747 million impact on Connecticut each year.
Donors have given more than $83 million so far to enhance the health and wellness of people and the planet, ensuring UConn Health can deliver lifesaving cures and care to the people of Connecticut and taking UConn one step closer to its net zero goals. As Connecticut’s only public academic medical center and a vital safety net for all residents, including those in marginalized communities, UConn Health provides over 1.3 million patient visits annually, nearly a quarter of which are to Medicaid recipients.
Over $184 million has been raised to build Husky pride across UConn’s regional campuses and throughout its broad community by strengthening UConn Athletics and deepening the involvement of alumni and other supporters. Student-athletes now benefit from even greater holistic support in their personal development, academics and their sport, enabling them to continue uplifting the Husky community worldwide. Husky pride continues to soar with 26 national sports championships and record-breaking university applications. The campaign has already reached 77% of its engagement goal of 1.5 million instances, with community members participating through events, giving, volunteering, social media and more — including 9,000 volunteers offering their time.
Of over 240,000 gifts, 90% were less than $1,000, underscoring widespread community support and the impact of giving at every level through crowdfunding events like Ignite, UConn Gives and HuskyTHON. Through the Students First Fund, donors provided immediate relief to more than 800 students facing unforeseen challenges that could otherwise jeopardize their paths to graduation. The campaign received 992 gifts of $100,000 or more, creating and sustaining scholarships, endowed faculty funds and programs. Transformative gifts have significantly accelerated the campaign’s progress, including $50 million from Elisabeth DeLuca ’69 (NUR) for the construction of a new state-of-the-art nursing facility and related programming that will innovate in the profession of nursing and address a statewide nursing shortage.
Strong leadership has guided the campaign from the start. The campaign is led by volunteer alumni co-chairs Antonietta “Toni” Boucher ’02 MBA, Richard Eldh Jr. ’81 (BUS), Joyce Eldh, Douglas Elliot ’82 (BUS), ’17 (H), Sheila Elliot ’82 (CLAS), UConn Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Toscano ’87 (BUS), and Tresa Toscano. Vladimir Coric MD ’92 (CLAS), Denis Nayden ’76 (CLAS), ’77 (BUS) and Britta Nayden ’76 (CAHNR), Molly Qerim ’06 (CLAS), and Peter Werth Jr. ’15 (H) are honorary campaign co-chairs.
The Foundation recently recognized the contributions of Board of Directors members, including Curtis Tearte ’78 JD, who passed away in September. Eight members — Angelo DeFazio ’85 (PHARM), Amy Errett ’79 (CLAS), Michael Koppel ’78 (BUS), Joseph Parsons ’79 (BUS), Lori Riiska ’84 (BUS), Tony Rizza ’87 (BUS), and Michael Rosen ’89 (CLAS), ’93 MD — completed their service. The Board of Directors also welcomed Christopher Chadbourne ’88 (BUS), Rodney Crevoiserat ’87 MBA, Kevin Kulak ’85 (BUS), Robert W. Makuch ’72 (CLAS), and Michelle Swanston ’03 (CAHNR) to new terms. Twenty Directors are continuing their service.
This $800 million milestone comes after the Foundation closes a historic fundraising year. The Because of UConn campaign enters a pivotal moment as it nears the $1 billion mark.
“Surpassing $800 million is an extraordinary milestone for UConn Nation that speaks volumes about the loyalty and generosity of our alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends,” says campaign co-chair Toni Boucher. “Beyond the number is the life-changing impact: expanded opportunities for our students, bold new avenues for research, and a stronger university for the future. As we set our sights on the $1 billion milestone, we invite everyone who believes in UConn’s mission and whose lives have been shaped because of UConn to join us in this unprecedented moment to make life better for the students, faculty, and community members who make this great university what it is.”
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