UC Davis achieved a nearly 25 percent jump in private support last year with gifts totaling more than $101 million.

(The Moore Foundation grant of $100 million for the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing announced Tuesday will be counted in fundraising totals for 2007-08.)

Through the help of more than 44,000 donors, including alumni, parents, students, organizations and other friends, UC Davis raised nearly $101.2 million in gifts, pledges and private grants during the 2006-07 fiscal year. This represents a nearly 25 percent increase from the $81.5 million raised the year before and is the fifth consecutive year that philanthropic support has grown. The 2006-07 totals are pending a final year-end review.

"We couldn't be happier or prouder that UC Davis has received this strong vote of confidence from private supporters," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "They are partners in our commitment to provide an outstanding, affordable education to our students and to find solutions to society's most pressing problems."

Gifts and philanthropic grants provided a wide range of support for students, faculty and programs. Examples include a land donation that will enable the development of a medical facility in Rocklin, and a gift to establish the Familia Ruedas Cal Aggie Alumni Association Scholarship, which will help first-generation U.S. residents attain a UC Davis education.

The 15 acres of Rocklin land valued at $8.17 million were donated to UC Davis by River South Holdings, LLC, which is a development company composed of five local partners. It was the largest gift of the year to UC Davis and the largest gift to that date in the history of the UC Davis Health System.

Alumnus and American River College counselor Manuel Ruedas '76 created the $10,000 scholarship fund out of gratitude for his educational experience at UC Davis. Ruedas is a first-generation citizen of the United States who hopes to encourage other first-generation students to attend college.

Thirteen donors made gifts of $1 million or more. In addition to the River South Holdings, LLC, land donation, these gifts included:

• $1 million bequest toward student support from Freemond E. "Pete" Gadberry '67 to the Department of Art. The gift is the largest ever for the Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies.
• $2 million from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to launch a communitywide research initiative called the Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program.
• $1.1 million from the estate of Dolores Fry to the Advanced Surgery Training Program at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
• More than $5 million from a private company to support experiential learning for undergraduate students studying agriculture in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Each of UC Davis' four colleges and five professional schools received private support, with the health system recording the highest amount at $34.6 million, followed by the School of Veterinary Medicine at $18.1 million, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at $15.8 million.

Forty-eight percent of the philanthropic total was directed toward research. Student support — including scholarships and fellowships — received 12 percent, while department/faculty support received 9 percent. Campus improvement and other program support received the remaining 31 percent.

Of the $101 million, a total of $24.8 million was committed to permanently invested funds — or endowments — to provide ongoing support for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, research and other university programs. Donors directed $7 million of these endowed funds to support the university through the UC Davis Foundation. The foundation, established in 1959, receives private gifts to benefit UC Davis, invests its endowed gift funds and other private assets, and advises university leaders in areas related to public trust and support. The foundation board of trustees is currently chaired by UC Davis alumna Meg Stallard '68.

More than 18,000 donors supported the Annual Fund in 2006-07, giving a record $1.9 million. The chancellor allocates Annual Fund gifts to areas of greatest need, including student and faculty support.

UC Davis receives about 21 percent of its total budget from the state, and receives additional support from a variety of funding sources, including donors. UC Davis crossed the $100 million threshold once before, in the 2001-02 fiscal year, when the university raised $110 million, including a gift of $35 million from Robert and Margrit Mondavi.

According to Beverly Sandeen, vice chancellor for University Relations and president of the UC Davis Foundation, this year's leap in giving is a result of an increased focus on philanthropic support by both the university and the community.

"We know how valuable private support can be in accomplishing our public mission," Sandeen says. "We have ramped up our fundraising efforts and are spending more time in the community, talking to alumni and other individuals, corporations and foundations about how profoundly they can impact the world by giving to UC Davis."

Tom Hinds is a development and campaign communications manager.