UA’s “Our Students. Our Future.” Campaign Reaches $360 Million Mark

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama announced today that the “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign has reached the $360 million mark on its way to the $500 million goal. Included in the $360 million is a record $108 million in private gifts and pledges the University received for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2006. It is the second consecutive fiscal year that UA has raised more than $100 million in one year.

During FY 2006, 50,459 individual donors made contributions to UA. The $108 million total includes three gifts of over $5 million, 16 gifts of $1 million or more, and 124 gifts in the $100,000-$999,999 range. A total of $22 million was raised in support of scholarships, which remain at the heart of the campaign’s goal. Both Regions Financial Corp. and the Josey Foundation have made gifts of $1 million in support of scholarships.

“The two most important reasons supporters provide funds for a university are pride and confidence,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “As I visit with our constituents, it is clear that people are proud of what they see at the University, and they have confidence in our ability to continue to make progress.”

UA’s faculty and staff have given more than $6.4 million, with 60 percent of the faculty and staff making gifts.

“This impressive level of support reflects the faculty and staff’s confidence in the University’s direction,” said David Wolf, UA assistant vice president for campaigns. “It’s an exciting time to be at The University of Alabama and this support from our colleagues throughout the University is especially gratifying.”

The “Our Students. Our Future.” campaign’s $500 million goal includes $250 million for student scholarships. The remaining funds are allocated to faculty support, facilities and priority needs.