The University of Miami (UM) has marked a significant achievement in its fundraising efforts, surpassing its ambitious goal of $2.5 billion to raise a remarkable total of $2.65 billion through the Ever Brighter: The Campaign for Our Next Century.
This record-setting campaign stands as the largest philanthropic initiative ever undertaken by a private institution in Florida.
According to Joshua Friedman, senior vice president for development and alumni relations, the successful campaign aligned closely with the university’s strategic priorities, focusing on critical areas such as student scholarships, campus facilities, research, and athletics.
Friedman stated, “The priorities were really based on the University’s priorities and the roadmap to our second century.”
The campaign’s success reflects widespread support from alumni, donors, and supporters globally, evidenced by over 470,000 gifts from more than 160,000 individuals.
These contributions originated from all 50 U.S. states and 98 countries, showcasing the extensive reach of UM’s community.
Two key priorities defined the Ever Brighter campaign: enhancing support for students through scholarships and expanding endowed faculty positions.
Both objectives were successfully surpassed, with the establishment of 113 new endowed faculty positions, referred to as Centennial Talents.
These positions are integral to attracting and retaining prominent scholars who can advance both teaching and research.
In addition to faculty support, more than $280 million was dedicated to student support initiatives, significantly boosting access to scholarships.
These funds enable students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their academic aspirations at UM without the weight of financial burdens.
Grecia Dianel Rivera Carrasquillo, a 2024 graduate from the Frost School of Music, illustrates this impact through her personal journey.
She expressed gratitude for the scholarship support, stating, “Scholarship support gave me that opportunity and has changed my life.”
The donor contributions have also propelled significant advancements in research, innovation, and campus development, resulting in the addition of over 564,000 square feet of new facilities.
These facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, and performance spaces across the university’s campuses.
The fundraising efforts began well before the campaign was publicly launched in November 2021.
Friedman explained that donor contributions have fueled major investments since 2015, stating, “Really the campaign was a 10-year campaign. It was quiet before it was public.”
The initial announcement of the campaign coincided with the onset of COVID-19, which delayed the public unveiling until a homecoming event post-pandemic.
Over the course of four years, the Ever Brighter campaign achieved a historic milestone by securing more than 440 significant gifts, each exceeding $1 million.
One notable donation was an anonymous contribution of $126 million, the largest in UM’s history, awarded to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in honor of its director, Dr. Stephen Nimer.
Phillip and Patricia Frost donated $100 million to establish the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science, while Kenneth C. Griffin contributed $50 million towards the new Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building, set to open soon.
While these major contributions played a pivotal role in the campaign’s success, the collective support from the broader UM community was equally important.
Almost 90 percent of all gifts were $1,000 or less, with a median gift amounting to $50.
This widespread generosity was instrumental in exceeding the campaign’s financial target.
Guillermo “Willy” Prado, interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, remarked on the significance of this achievement, highlighting the strong emotional connection individuals have to the university.
He said, “Ever Brighter is fueling student success, academic and research distinction, and discoveries that will benefit society.”
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