The University of Connecticut Foundation crossed the $900 million mark on June 9, 2026 in the Because of UConn campaign, surpassing 60% of the campaign’s $1.5 billion fundraising goal.

“This milestone is a powerful reflection of what UConn means to our alumni, donors, parents, faculty, staff, and friends,” said Richard Eldh ’81 (BUS), president and CEO of the UConn Foundation and co-chair of the Because of UConn campaign. “We are deeply grateful for the donors who continue to move this campaign, and this university, forward by easing students’ financial burdens, supporting the people and ideas that drive discovery, helping provide cutting-edge care to patients, and supporting the athletic programs and engagement opportunities that unite our entire Husky community.”

The $900 million milestone came as the Foundation closed fiscal year 2026, its most successful fundraising year ever and the first full fiscal year of the public Because of UConn campaign. In fiscal year 2026, the Foundation raised $171 million, 143% higher than it raised in fiscal year 2019, the year before the campaign began.

“Philanthropy helps transform us into an academic, research, innovation, and athletic powerhouse,” stated UConn President Radenka Maric. “Nearly 9,500 first-generation students rely on donor support; it is essential for promoting social mobility. Innovation, along with attracting and retaining top faculty, hinges on donor generosity — whether it’s in our efforts to combat diseases, promote healthy aging, or advance new materials like quantum materials and computers. Our student-athletes and coaches depend on donors’ commitment to stay competitive. Thanks to the generous donors of this campaign, the University is steadily moving closer to key strategic plan targets to raise our six-year graduation rate to 90% and grow UConn’s endowment to $1 billion.”

At the $900 million mark, donors had directed gifts across all four priority pillars of the largest fundraising effort in UConn’s history:

• Students First: Donors gave $221.27 million to make a UConn education more affordable for more students and to support students’ wellness and holistic development.
  • Funding for students’ emergency needs increased by 930% in fiscal year 2026 through the Students First Fund, helping students who face financial hardships like a family illness, car repair, or even the cost of a textbook.
• Academic & Innovation Excellence: Donors gave $352.37 million for faculty, graduate students, and research.
• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: Donors contributed $106.87 million for UConn Health and sustainability initiatives.
• Husky Pride: Donors gave $219.77 million for student-athletes and athletic programs.
  • Community members also participated more than 1 million times in campaign alumni engagement opportunities including giving, events, volunteering, social media, storytelling, and other forms of connection, helping the campaign reach 85% percent of its engagement goal.

Donors have provided 33,159 scholarships and fellowships to students since the campaign began and helped increase the University endowment to $715.26 million.

“I know firsthand the power of a UConn education, as well as the financial challenges faced by students like I was,” said UConn Board of Trustees Chair and Campaign Co-Chair Daniel D. Toscano ’87 (BUS). “That’s why it’s so meaningful to see our alumni, donors, and friends continue to invest in the next generation of Huskies. This year, one of the most rewarding efforts was working alongside our campaign committee to raise more than $700,000 for the Students First Fund. Those resources provide critical support when students face unexpected challenges, helping ensure that a temporary hardship doesn’t become a barrier to earning a UConn degree.”

The Foundation also created the Dominique S. Matteson ’03 Endowment Fund for Students First in partnership with the Matteson family in honor of the beloved alumna and UConn Foundation staff member who passed away in 2025. It is the first endowment to provide stable funding for students’ emergency needs in perpetuity.

Leading gifts for each of the campaign’s four pillars have helped propel the campaign from November 2025’s $800 million mark to $900 million:

• A $15 million commitment from Robert Skinner ’93 (CLAS) and Stefanie Skinner will support UConn Athletics, including a $10 million planned gift to establish a permanent endowed fund in support of the head coaches of the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The gift aligns with the Husky Pride pillar.
• The Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation committed $10.45 million to create new pathways to nursing and STEM careers for Waterbury students. This year’s commitment builds on the DeLuca Foundation’s previous $50 million gift to nursing. Their campaign gifts align with the Students First, Academic & Innovation Excellence, and Health & Wellness of People & Planet pillars.

The campaign has demonstrated broad-based support from UConn’s donor community of alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff, and UConn Health patients in Connecticut and beyond, as well as corporations and philanthropic organizations like family foundations. At the $900 million mark, 69,655 donors had made 276,868 gifts, with 89% of gifts under $1,000.

“As the campaign moves closer to $1 billion, the Foundation is inviting members of the UConn community to support or volunteer with areas of the university that mean the most to you,” said Michael Van Sambeck ’12 (CLAS), ’22 MBA, vice president of principal giving and campaign director at the UConn Foundation. “UConn’s next chapter is taking shape because of you.”

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