University of Arkansas fundraising exceeds $169 million in fiscal 2026 - Talk Business & Politics
TheUniversity of Arkansassaid Friday (July 31) that it raised more than $169. 6 million in fiscal 2026, which ended June 30. This is a decrease of 33. 4% from the$254. 7 million raisedin the previous fiscal. . .
TheUniversity of Arkansassaid Friday (July 31) that it raised more than $169. 6 million in fiscal 2026, which ended June 30. This is a decrease of 33. 4% from the$254. 7 million raisedin the previous fiscal year, the UA’s fourth-highest fundraising year. Still, fiscal 2026 was the UA’s fifth-highest fundraising year and the second consecutive year in the top five. The fiscal year total includes gifts, planned gifts and pledges received from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Gifts established 120 new endowed funds. “This support comes at a pivotal time for the University of Arkansas,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Our record-breaking momentum in key areas such as student success, scholarship support and research activity provides a strong foundation for the next stage of the university’s growth and impact. We are deeply grateful to the alumni and friends whose generosity is helping us reach higher to create new opportunities for students and lasting benefits for our state and nation. ”According to a news release, the UA received nearly 24% more gifts and pledges than in the previous fiscal year. Fundraising production across the university’s colleges, schools and units increased 40. 1% from the previous year — the largest annual increase in the past four years. Support ranged from major and planned commitments to annual and recurring gifts, advancing scholarships and student experiences; faculty and academic programs; research and innovation; and facilities. A $10 million commitment from the McMillon Family Foundation created operating support for the McMillon Innovation Studio and a construction fund for its new home. The new studio is planned for the first floor of the approximately 100,000-square-foot Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall, which will include new classrooms and study space. The fundraising total includes two recent$10 million giftsfor the construction of Dillard Hall. The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the UA said July 28 that it received a$10 million grantfrom the Walton Family Foundation to support the construction of Dillard Hall. The Walton College previously announced receiving $10 million from the Dillard family to support a $40 million campaign to build the academic building. It will be built at North Harmon Avenue and West Fairview Street, adjacent to the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development and across from Harmon Avenue Parking Garage. A groundbreaking is expected in late April 2027. Fundraising for theLand of Opportunity Scholarshipis also included in the total. The UA raised more than $6. 8 million for the scholarship in fiscal 2026, down 94. 9% from the $132. 8 million raised in the previous year. The $200 million campaign launched Nov. 12, 2024, with the announcement of a $100 million gift from Jane Hunt and Bryan Hunt on behalf of the J. B. and Johnelle Hunt family. Two-thirds of the campaign goal was raised in less than a year. Total commitments to the initiative now exceed $141. 3 million toward the $200 million goal. The Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign is a three-year initiative to expand educational access for students from all 75 counties in Arkansas, improve graduation rates, and foster engagement between the university and businesses throughout the state. This fall, the university will welcome its inaugural class of 100 scholars, with the foundation of Southwestern Electric Power Co. giving $500,000to support the first 100 students to receive the scholarship. The release shows that donors have established 44 Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowed funds. Also, collective giving has continued to grow, according to the release. In its second year, One Day, One U of A increased giving by 51. 7% and raised more than $275,000 for projects spanning scholarships and student emergency support, study abroad and experiential learning, entrepreneurship, arts and cultural programs, and community-focused initiatives across Arkansas. “This year’s total is the sum of thousands of individual decisions to move the University of Arkansas forward in numerous and meaningful ways that ultimately impact the lives of our students and our state,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “Some of that support will be felt immediately through a scholarship award, funding for research, programs or an opportunity a student otherwise might not have had. We are truly grateful to everyone whose generosity made that possible. ”According to the release, the UA has moved into the nation’s top 100 public universities and set records for enrollment, six-year graduation rates, undergraduate scholarship and grant support, research activity andeconomic impactfor Arkansas. Some of the university’s goals, as noted in its150 Forward Reaching Higher, include an 80% six-year graduation rate and $500 million in annual research activity. Related