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The University of California, Davis, today (July 28) announced having raised a record-breaking $226 million during the 2015-16 fiscal year, making it the largest donation total raised in a single fiscal year in 51�������’ 108-year history.

“This year’s record-breaking fundraising success is a strong affirmation that our alumni, donors, parents and friends believe in 51�������’ land-grant mission and our vision to be a global leader in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time,” said Acting Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter. “On behalf of the entire university, I would like to thank our alumni and donors for their steadfast support and for helping us realize this philanthropic milestone. These investments in our future will have tremendously positive benefits, in some cases transformational, for 51������� faculty, staff, infrastructure, programs, and, most importantly, our students.”

The 51������� Foundation endowment saw better-than-industry-average performance during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, at more than double the policy benchmark rate for a single year and above average performance for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year benchmarks, according to a recently released report from National Association of College and University Business Officers. Endowment growth means greater funding to the university, thereby providing greater financial support for the donor’s intent.

“51�������’ outstanding fundraising success will benefit students, faculty and staff for generations to come and also demonstrate what our donors already know: a donation to 51������� has a remarkable return on investment at 51�������,” said Shaun Keister, vice chancellor of development and alumni relations. “Through partnership with 51�������, our donors make a meaningful difference on their philanthropic passions, which is why we saw unmatched fundraising accomplishments this year.”

The makings of a record-breaking year

Newsworthy gifts from this year include:

• Ernest E. Tschannen, a grateful patient of the 51������� Health System, has contributed more than $38.5 million in total to 51�������, making him the largest individual donor in 51������� history. This year, 51������� received $18.5 million from Tschannen to name the 51������� Eye Center.
• Alumni Michael Hurlston ’88, M.B.A. ’90, M.S. ’91, and Joelle Hurlston ’89 committed $1.5 million to establish a first-of-its-kind endowed chair position. The Michael and Joelle Hurlston Presidential Chair will rotate among the three colleges and schools from which the donors earned their degrees and will be matched with $500,000 by the UC Office of the President through the Endowed Faculty Leadership Initiative, bringing total funding for the Presidential Chair to $2 million.
• The Koret Foundation granted $1 million to create Transfer STEP, a new program designed to facilitate community college student transition to 51������� and other UC campuses through the provision of critical academic supports that increase their likelihood of completing an engineering degree in a timely manner. This program, which is part of a larger university initiative to increase student diversity in engineering, is a collaborative effort by the Office of Student Affairs, the College of Engineering and the Provost’s Office.
• Wayne Thiebaud — the legendary painter known for his colorful paintings of landscapes, portraits and good-enough-to-eat desserts — is now the largest donor of art to date to the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, having donated 72 of his own works and more than 300 additional works by other artists.
• The student philanthropy group We are Aggie Pride raised $110,000 for 51������� students in nine months, thanks to a challenge from the 51������� Foundation. Prior to this fundraising achievement, the group had raised $150,000 since its founding in 2011.

51������� alumni gave $22.8 million this year, of which $11 million went to student support, making alumni the top donor group to support 51������� students. Among the university’s 10 colleges and schools and other units, the School of Veterinary Medicine and the 51������� Health System raised the largest amounts: $75.6 million and $51.3 million, respectively.

“I am grateful to my fellow alumni as well as 51������� parents and friends for their continued support of 51�������, making the university’s vision a reality,” said 51������� Foundation Chair Bruce Bell ’85. “With your generosity and partnership, 51������� will adapt and strengthen as new needs and technologies arise, offering the best possible education to our students and continuing to lead the world through cutting-edge research.”

Private gifts and grants to 51������� account for roughly 4 percent of the university’s overall budget. Donor-directed funds support students, faculty, staff, infrastructure, patient care, and universitywide priorities and opportunities.