Celebrating a Century: How the University of Miami’s $2.65 Billion Campaign is Transforming the Future

The University of Miami, founded in 1925, has wrapped up a major fundraising effort, raising an impressive $2.65 billion over the last ten years.

The campaign, known as the Ever Brighter Campaign, kicked off publicly in November 2021. It attracted over 160,000 donors, with 107,000 making their first contributions. Notably, there were 443 donations exceeding $1 million. Significant gifts included $50 million from Kenneth C. Griffin in 2024, $126 million in 2020 from an anonymous donor—marking the largest individual gift—and $100 million from Phillip and Patricia Frost back in 2016.

This campaign achieved remarkable goals: $689 million for the university’s endowment, $280 million aimed at student support and scholarships, and it also funded 112 new endowed faculty positions. They surpassed their target of $2.5 billion by over 6%.

University trustee and campaign chair Stuart A. Miller reflected on the achievement: “Reaching this milestone during our centennial is both profound and inspiring. This campaign is about more than a number—it highlights the positive impact of philanthropy.”

Fundraising trends in universities are evolving. According to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), higher education fundraising in the U.S. reached a record $15.3 billion in 2022, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. This shows a growing recognition of the importance of alumni and community support in funding educational institutions.

The University of Miami’s successful campaign exemplifies this trend, emphasizing not just the financial aspects but also the relationships built along the way. With donations fueling growth, the university is poised for even greater achievements in the next century.

Source link