UCLA Today: UCLA raises record $509M for its needs

BY ALAN EYERLY
UCLA Today

UCLA achieved its most successful fund-raising performance in campus history — setting a record for the University of California system — by receiving more than $509.4 million in private gifts and grants during the past fiscal year.

This accomplishment by Campaign UCLA was attained despite the nation’s uncertain economic climate. Capping the effort was a landmark pledge of $200 million in May from entertainment executive and philanthropist David Geffen. The largest single donation of its kind ever made to a medical school in the United States, Geffen’s gift was also the largest ever received in the UC system.

The $509.4-million fund-raising total reflects gifts and pledges received between July 1, 2001, and June 30, 2002, elevating the total for Campaign UCLA to more than $2.017 billion. That equals 84% of the $2.4-billion overall goal for the campaign, which concludes in 2005. The previous fund-raising record for UCLA was nearly $330 million, set in 1999-2000.

“We are enormously grateful for the support our donors provide,” Chancellor Albert Carnesale said, “because government funding alone does not meet the needs of a world-class public research university. With the UCLA family’s continuing commitment to our mission of teaching, research and service, I believe that even greater days lie ahead.”

Campaign UCLA chairman Bob Wilson said the record year was particularly gratifying given the decision in March to extend the fund-raising initiative until 2005, boosting the goal from $1.6 billion to $2.4 billion. “Our donors have responded magnificently to the challenge,” he said. “Much work remains to be accomplished, but I’m confident that the campaign will continue to build on its previous successes.”

Dennis Slon, associate vice chancellor, development, agreed, saying he is encouraged by the large number of individual donors who support Campaign UCLA. “We have so many friends who appreciate the vital role the university plays, not only in Southern California but throughout the world,” Slon said. “Their generosity helps UCLA attract and retain outstanding faculty and students and improve facilities campuswide.”

Launched in 1997 with an initial goal of $1.2 billion, Campaign UCLA is the most ambitious fund-raising effort ever undertaken by a public university. The campaign supports academic and research programs and provides financial aid for undergraduate and graduate students. To meet substantial capital improvement needs, the campaign is securing funds to restore buildings dating back to 1929 and construct new facilities.

In addition to the pledge from David Geffen, highlights of the past fiscal year include:

• A $5-million gift from Southern California real estate executive Richard S. Ziman to help form a new center within The Anderson School. The center conducts research on the rapidly changing real estate industry.

• A $3-million gift from Amgen Inc. supporting the adult oncology wing of UCLA’s replacement hospital. The gift is in memory of Dora Menchaca, an Amgen employee and UCLA alumna, killed Sept. 11 aboard the airliner that crashed into the Pentagon.

• A $2-million gift from the New York-based Freeman Foundation bolstering Asian studies in the College of Letters and Science. Funds will support several key areas, such as enhancing language programs and expanding interdisciplinary curricula.