Donors unlocked a new level of charitable giving to the University of California, Davis, in the last fiscal year, pushing the total past the $300 million mark for the first time in the university’s history — and beating it by a wide margin.

Financials announced in September show the university raised $323 million in 2021-22, in 58,556 gifts and pledges from 32,434 donors.

“Every year, I’m awestruck by the magnitude of our supporters’ generosity,” Chancellor Gary S. May said. “With these gifts, faculty, staff and students in every discipline will solve for today and prepare for tomorrow. Together, we continue to show the world that it should expect even greater from UC Davis.”

With the 2021-22 data added in, the university reported a record number of donors, 115,116, have given more than $1.7 billion toward “Expect Greater: From UC Davis, for the World,” the university’s second comprehensive campaign, this one with a goal of raising $2 billion by 2024.

Donations in 2021-22 reached record highs in several areas on the Davis campus, including the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, $103.8 million; Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, $11 million; and Intercollegiate Athletics, $7.5 million. Top fundraisers overall included the School of Veterinary Medicine, $61.7 million; and UC Davis Health, $50 million. 

The College of Biological Sciences raised $8,054,469 in fiscal year 2021-22 with a record 1,102 gifts received, nearly 350 more than just two years ago. This is largely due to phenomenal donor support during Give Day 2022, which resulted in 20% of all dollars and 8% of all gifts received by UC Davis going to CBS.

Giving across campus

Impact is homegrown at UC Davis: Employee giving is among the fastest-growing donation categories, with more than $3 million given in 2021-22 by campus and UC Davis Health faculty and staff — up from some $1.7 million the year prior. Much of the increase is due to nearly a dozen large gifts, together totaling more than $1 million.

Employee donors are joined by friends, supporters and alumni in partnering with the university on the “Expect Greater” campaign to confront life’s most urgent challenges, and build a fuller, healthier and more resilient future for California and the world.

“The acceleration of our campaign progress is all by virtue of supporters who share our goal to make the world a better place for everyone and everything,” said Shaun Keister, vice chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations and president of the UC Davis Foundation. “We are grateful for everyone who continues to advance the university’s mission.”