Philanthropic Support to UC Davis Surpasses $100 Million for Third Consecutive Year

August 12, 2009 — Donors supported the University of California, Davis, with $108.1 million in gifts, pledges and private grants during the 2008-09 fiscal year, marking the third consecutive year that philanthropic support has surpassed $100 million.

In all, the number of gifts rose to 49,896, an increase of 1 percent from 2007-08, illustrating the commitment of UC Davis’ donors even during these times of financial turbulence.

The wide range of gifts included a $16 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight childhood malnutrition, a collection of valuable prints from renowned painter Wayne Thiebaud and his wife, Betty Jean, and nearly $1.3 million from the Autism Speaks advocacy group to investigate autism.

The $108.1 million total for the year ending June 30, 2009, continues a generally upward trend in philanthropic giving to UC Davis. The dollar total represents a 7 percent jump compared with the 2006-07 fiscal year. Philanthropic gifts to UC Davis in 2007-08 exceeded $200 million for the first time, due in large part to a $100 million philanthropic grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to found the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.

Outgoing Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef expressed gratitude for the generosity of so many and pointed out how important philanthropic support is to UC Davis as the university works through a difficult economy.

“Throughout my 25 years at UC Davis, and especially in this my final year as chancellor, I’ve been inspired by our donors,” Vanderhoef said. “They all deserve thanks for the vision and generosity they’ve shown to help further our commitment as a land-grant institution to serving California and society.”

Added Chancellor-designate Linda Katehi, who will take leadership of UC Davis on Aug. 17: “Philanthropy has been vital to UC Davis throughout its first 100 years, and it will continue to be essential to sustaining and transforming the university into its second century of progress and service. It’s already clear to me that UC Davis’ donors are extraordinarily passionate and committed supporters of this great university. I look forward to meeting with and hearing from so many more of them.”