Record Donations Continuing For UConn Foundation

STORRS, CT — Donations continue to pour into the University of Connecticut at a record pace.

The UConn Foundation tallied an all-time-high fundraising total for the fourth straight year, as donors contributed $157.9 million in new gifts and commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

UConn officials released the figures Tuesday.

The funds represent a 37 percent increase over last year’s $115 million total. Officials said the donations "will support UConn's academic, research, and public service missions across all campuses and UConn Health."

Gifts include a $40 million pledge to the School of Nursing, which is the largest in the history of the University. Elisabeth DeLuca, an alum of the School of Nursing, made the contribution to "increase the nursing class size, and to help address the state and national nursing shortage, the changing nature of health care, and the increasing disparity in health outcomes," officials said.

"The transformational gift will make the School of Nursing a national leader in the future of nursing education," they added.

The fundraising total also includes $55.5 million for need- and merit-based scholarships and fellowships.

Donors also contributed $47.7 million to fund academic programs. Support for faculty reached $12.5 million, double last year’s total.

"We thank UConn Nation, who once again stepped up to help advance the University’s top priorities, including fostering student success and supporting the learning and research that will benefit the state of Connecticut and beyond,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the UConn Foundation interim president and CEO. “These 22,541 donors contributed to this year’s success, adding yet another championship to UConn’s string of record-setting performances."

The men’s basketball team’s NCAA title seemed to spur momentum as donations for the UConn Division of Athletics totaled $27.9 million.

Support for UConn Health reached $15 million in fiscal 2023, providing "critical funding to advance patient care, research, and academic programs," officials said.