Excitement continues post-campaign
Angela Jackson and Bruce D. Bear say, ‘Thank you,’ to donors.
The University of Central Arkansas closed out fiscal year 2024 with almost $16 million raised from 6,916 donors. This is the seventh consecutive year the university has surpassed its fundraising goal and raised more than $10 million.
The university’s annual fundraising achievement follows the successful, early completion of the UCA Now Campaign, which raised more than $109 million ten months ahead of schedule.
“The early completion of the UCA Now capital campaign was only the beginning of our success. Alumni and friends continue to be excited about UCA and want to invest in our students,” said Vice President for University Advancement Mary Bane Lackie. “At UCA, gifts of any size and type make an impact. I am honored to lead an outstanding team that is committed to UCA’s excellence and has worked hard to secure another record year of fundraising.”
The largest gift recorded this fiscal year was a $5 million anonymous gift to support UCA’s interior design program. The gift established two categories of endowed funds to support the interior design program. The majority of the gift, $4 million, will be used to endow faculty positions allowing at least four named professorships. The remaining $1 million will be designated to support internship and experiential learning opportunities for students.
“UCA has incredible momentum right now, and our alumni and friends are excited about the future of our university,” said UCA President Houston Davis. “We have a strong student body, excellent faculty and staff, and exciting programs that our donors want to invest in. It is a great time to be a part of UCA.”
In March, UCA’s 10th Annual Day of Giving set a new record with more than $1.4 million raised during the 24-hour fundraising event from 2,369 donors.
Also, a part of UCA’s success was the $3.1 million in planned gifts from 19 donors, which were secured through the university’s new Office of Legacy Planning. Additionally, UCA received generous support from 772 members of the UCA President’s Society, the leadership annual giving society. The UCA Alumni Association also ended the year with 2,216 members including 1,052 life members.
