UA Nets $222M From Donors, Breaking Previous Record

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — The University of Alabama on Tuesday reported the highest fundraising year to-date during its last fiscal year, pulling in $222 million from nearly 60,000 donors.

UA says the 2019-2020 fiscal year saw an increase of $19 million from the previous year, while also marking the third consecutive fiscal year of fundraising efforts topping $200 million.

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As part of fundraising efforts, UA also reported hitting its $15 million fundraising goal to support construction of the new Performing Arts Academic Center (PAAC), along with a fully-restored main building at Bryce Hospital.

PAAC will provide dance and theatre students with venues and equipment to further hone their skills on the Tuscaloosa campus.

The renovated, 130,000-square-foot Bryce Hospital will include four performance venues — a black box theatre with flexible seating for 175 to 275 attendees, a 350-seat proscenium style theatre, a 450-seat venue specifically designed for dance and a dance studio theatre with space for rehearsals, recitals and smaller performances.

UA said donations to the PAAC campaign included a $5.25 million gift from an anonymous donor, a gift of $1.5 million from Robert and Laura Abernathy to name the grand lobby and 20 additional gifts of $100,000 or more.

The restoration of Bryce Main is already underway and will include UA's new Welcome Center. The university says construction on the new PAAC is expected to begin in spring 2022, pending approval by the UA Board of Trustees.

Additionally, gifts made toward the 2020 Bama Blitz online crowdfunding campaign also played a role in the record-breaking fundraising year.

Bama Blitz, which occurred in September and included gifts for the Tide Together Student Support Fund, saw 1,276 UA alumni and other donors give a total of $2.15 million.

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