The University of Arkansas raised a momentous $138.6 million in the 2022 fiscal year ending June 30, in private gift support for students, faculty, programs and capital projects.

Outside a multiyear capital campaign, more than 49,000 benefactors recorded the most generous level of support in the institution’s history in outright cash gifts and new pledges.

“The university’s mission of teaching, research and public service to our state have been propelled by the remarkable generosity of our alumni, friends, staff, faculty, students and industry partners,” said interim Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Together, we continually focus on advancing opportunities and transforming lives. Steadfast philanthropic support is integral to our collective success, and I am profoundly thankful for the commitments of our benefactors and incredibly grateful to behold the extraordinary impact their philanthropy makes on our campus.”

In all, donors contributed through gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and new pledges to a breadth of university-wide initiatives for students and programs, faculty and staff, research and economic development, entrepreneurship and capital projects. Twenty million dollars of the funds raised went toward the university’s endowment.

Philanthropy is life-changing for many students like Karina Escobar, a recipient of the Northwest Arkansas Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship, the Honors College Path Scholarship Endowment and the Student Scholarship Fund.

Karina Escobar

“Thanks to my scholarship support, I have been able to focus on academics and work as a Student Engagement intern at the Volunteer Action Center,” Escobar said. “Donors inspire me to make the most out of my education. As a first-generation university student, I would not otherwise have this opportunity. I have always strived for success, but knowing I am working hard and receiving a reward for what I have done is fulfilling.”

Kate Mamiseishvili, interim dean of the College of Education and Health Professions and holder of the Henry G. Hotz Endowed Chair, realizes the indelible opportunities private gift support empowers.

“At a time when education and health issues have grown more complex and important to communities throughout Arkansas, it is inspiring to see the dedicated support from our benefactors and alumni,” she said. “Their funding provides us with resources to address the challenges we face and ensures we can educate the future teachers, nurses, counselors and health professionals who provide care for our communities,”

Private gift support is crucial to ensure success for the U of A. Gifts to the university are designated and allocated for specific purposes set forth by each donor and used solely for those purposes. Every effort is made to align the giving interests of donors with campus priorities.

"The philanthropic impact from our generous benefactors is felt campuswide,” said Mark Power, vice chancellor for advancement. “There are so many amazing things happening at the University of Arkansas, and you feel it as soon as you walk on to campus. I am so thankful for the spirit of generosity, the collaboration of our deans and academic leaders, and the Division of Advancement for their dedication to this great institution. The talented work of many is an exceptional investment that will significantly benefit future generations.”

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, students, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and benefactors, the division of advancement is determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.