Donors contributed more than $522 million to the University of Colorado (CU) in the last fiscal year, marking the second-highest fundraising total in the university’s history. This is only the second time CU has surpassed half a billion dollars in philanthropic giving.
The university received support from over 46,000 donors who made more than 78,000 gifts across its four campuses. These contributions will support student scholarships, research initiatives, arts and culture programs, faculty development, and health care efforts as CU approaches its 150th anniversary next year.
“We are tremendously grateful for our donors’ generosity and passion. Their gifts are among our most important sources of support and help strengthen every part of our university community,” said Todd Saliman, University of Colorado President. “These gifts ensure our students, faculty and broader community in Colorado and beyond can benefit from the impact and value that CU provides.”
Of the $522 million raised:
– $161 million was directed toward research.
– $157 million supported academic priorities such as health care.
– $63 million provided scholarships and fellowships for students.
– $40 million helped attract and retain faculty members.
Most donations were modest; about 93% of all gifts were $2,500 or less. However, significant investments also played a role: two gifts exceeded $15 million each, while 104 gifts were at least $1 million.
Notable campus-specific contributions included a $10 million endowed gift from alumnus Spike Buckley to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education at CU Boulder. At UCCS, nearly $700,000 in scholarship funds from the Kane Family Foundation benefited 50 Colorado students last year. CU Denver donors gave $7.2 million to increase access to higher education through scholarships—including an anonymous cornerstone gift of $1 million for sociology students. At CU Anschutz Medical Campus, an anonymous patient donated $40 million to advance ophthalmology research focused on diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Endowments continue to play a critical role in long-term financial stability for CU. Last year’s fundraising included $104 million invested into endowments with 133 new individual endowments created—bringing the total number supporting CU to 3,693 with a combined value of $2.5 billion as of June 30.
Additionally, planned giving reached a record high with donors committing $128 million through wills and bequests intended to provide future support for the university.
Todd Saliman emphasized that donor funds are allocated according to each donor’s wishes and cannot be redirected by CU to cover unrelated budget needs.
“Each gift reflects what is personally meaningful to our supporters,” Saliman said. “Their commitment is especially vital during times when state and federal funding face challenges.”
