Foundation net assets top $100 million milestone
Driven by a record-breaking number of donors and unprecedented planned and campus giving, the University of Central Arkansas closed fiscal year 2026 with $14.4 million raised. This marks a 31% increase over the previous fiscal year and represents the ninth consecutive year that UCA has surpassed its annual fundraising goal and raised more than $10 million.
Marking a major milestone in financial strength, total assets for the UCA Foundation officially surpassed $100 million for the first time in university history, reaching $103.4 million.
A total of 7,548 donors contributed during FY26 – a new university record – topping the previous high of 7,256 donors set in FY25.
“Our donors continue to send a resounding message: they believe in the power of a UCA education and the direction of this university,” Vice President for University Advancement Dr. Mary Bane Lackie said. “Eclipsing $100 million in Foundation net assets while setting a donor record and surpassing our annual fundraising goal by nearly $4 million speaks to the extraordinary momentum building across our entire campus community.”
Private support in FY26 was bolstered by major achievements across key areas:
- Historic Foundation Asset Growth: UCA Foundation total assets reached an all-time high of $103.4 million, while the university’s endowment grew to $77 million.
- Record-Breaking Planned Giving: Legacy giving experienced an extraordinary year, with $6.1 million raised in planned gifts – more than double the university’s $2.6 million goal – bringing total Doyne Legacy Society membership to 144 households.
- Surge in Faculty and Staff Commitment: Support from within the campus community reached unprecedented heights, with UCA faculty and staff donating and pledging $1.1 million across 619 donors – more than double the amount pledged in FY25.
- Unmatched Day of Giving Participation: UCA’s annual Day of Giving engaged a record 3,115 donors, generating over $1.2 million in 24 hours to support student resources and academic programs.
- Transformational Leadership Gifts: UCA secured 92 major gifts over $15,000 (up from 75 in FY25), including two gifts exceeding $1 million, with the largest single gift totaling $2.5 million.
- Leadership Support: The President’s Society, UCA’s leadership annual giving society, expanded to 792 members.
Gifts to the UCA Foundation directly fund the university’s margin of excellence, providing essential new support for signature initiatives like the UCA Commitment debt-free degree pathway, endowed faculty positions, experiential learning opportunities and campus facility modernizations. The UCA Foundation also awarded $1.5 million across 970 private scholarships, directly benefiting students across all academic disciplines.
“The ongoing generosity of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends empowers us to dream bigger and expand access for our students,” UCA President Houston Davis said. “Seeing the UCA Foundation surpass $100 million in net assets ensures a sustainable, long-term source of private support for our university’s mission.
“This year’s fundraising results reflect deep institutional trust and a shared commitment to elevating academic excellence across Arkansas, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who chose to invest in UCA this year.”