'Because of UConn' Campaign Raises $800 Million ... So Far

STORRS, CT — Donations have been pouring in during a major fundraising endeavor at the University of Connecticut.

On Nov. 26, donor contributions enabled the UConn Foundation to cross the $800 million mark in the "Because of UConn" fundraising campaign, surpassing the halfway mark of a $1.5 billion goal.

Officials called it the university’s most ambitious fundraising effort in its 144-year history.

The Because of UConn campaign, unveiled in April 2025, seeks "to secure philanthropic support to transform students’ lives, spark innovation, improve health and sustainability, and strengthen Husky pride." After the launch, the UConn Foundation recorded its strongest first quarter on record and closed a "historic fundraising year," officials said.

"This campaign reflects the bold vision for UConn’s future in our university’s 10-year strategic plan — one where every student thrives, research drives real-world solutions, and our university powers a stronger Connecticut," UConn President Radenka Maric said. "Thanks to the donors of this campaign, we are making measurable progress toward key targets to increase our six-year graduation rate to 90 percent and grow our endowment to $1 billion."

Donors have given more than $320 million for scholarships and fellowships to expand student access and affordability, providing more than 29,000 scholarships and fellowships to students since the campaign began.

More than $337 million has been raised in the campaign to boost academic and innovation programs by providing faculty and graduate students with "the resources to pursue solutions to pressing challenges in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities," officials said.

UConn research drives innovation across the state, creating a $747 million impact on Connecticut each year, officials said.

Donors have given more than $83 million so far to UConn Health. UConn Health provides over 1.3 million patient visits annually, nearly a quarter of which are to Medicaid recipients.

More than $184 million has been raised across UConn’s regional campuses and "throughout its broad community by strengthening UConn Athletics and deepening the involvement of alumni and other supporters," officioals said.

The campaign has already reached 77 percent of its engagement goal, with community members participating through events, giving, volunteering, social media and more — including 9,000 volunteers offering their time.

Of the more than 240,000 gifts, 90 percent were less than $1,000, officials said.