Private Support for UCSB Totals $68 Million During 2004-05 Setting a Strong Pace for The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara

Alumni and friends of UC Santa Barbara contributed more than $68 million in philanthropic gifts and pledges to the campus during 2004--05, helping to set a strong pace for The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara.

Of that amount, cash gifts received during the past year accounted for nearly $49 million, more than any other previous year.

UCSB received a record total of 27,444 gifts, up more than 25 percent from the previous year.

This significant rise was due primarily to an increase in alumni giving.

Overall, gifts for research increased 74 percent over the previous year to $20 million.

Similarly, support for students in the form of scholarships and fellowships nearly doubled, amounting to $3 million.

Gifts from foundations increased substantially from $10 million in 2003-04 to nearly $27 million last year.

"I am tremendously grateful to our alumni and friends, dedicated UCSB Foundation Trustees and volunteers, distinguished faculty, and loyal staff for their partnership in generating new levels of support for this outstanding university," said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. "Our donors have invested generously in the excellence of our faculty and the quality of our students. We are inspired by their shared vision for our campus. Their philanthropy is helping us to chart a dynamic course for the future of UC Santa Barbara."

The campus's first comprehensive campaign will generate private funds to ensure UCSB's excellence for future generations.

By the time the campaign was publicly announced last fall, donations had already passed the halfway mark---thanks to UCSB's many dedicated volunteer leaders and the growing generosity of alumni and friends.

In May, the campaign's original $350 million goal was revised upward to $500 million, and by the end of June, a total of $296 million had been contributed to UCSB for innovative programs, instruction, and new research initiatives.

"In addition to the significant growth in the number of donors and gift dollars, the comprehensive endowment for UCSB now exceeds $130 million," said Gary Greinke, associate vice chancellor for development.

"These achievements are excellent benchmarks in charting our progress in developing a stronger culture of giving for the campus."

The year's success toward the campaign goal was highlighted by some exceptionally generous donations.

They included an additional major commitment of $5 million from Orange County business leader and philanthropist Donald Bren for the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.

The gift establishes 11 endowments to support nine endowed chairs, a distinguished visiting professor program, and fellowships for students pursuing master's degrees.

With this recent gift, Bren's contribution to UCSB's unique interdisciplinary graduate school totals $20 million.

Another endowed chair was created for the dean of the Division of Mathematical, Life and Physical Sciences with a $500,000 gift from UCSB Foundation Trustee Susan Worster and her husband, Bruce, both UCSB graduates.

The first holder of the Worster Chair is Martin Moskovits, dean of science.

This is the second chair the couple has created at UCSB.

With a multiyear commitment of $500,000 annually, Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea and the Orfalea Family Foundation established a novel graduate program and a new center in global and international studies that will focus on the academic preparation of professionals to work in the global non-profit sector as well as in international government and multinational business.

Orfalea is a distinguished visiting professor in the Global and International Studies Program at UCSB.

The Orfalea family is a longtime benefactor of the campus.

In addition, UCSB Foundation Trustee Mark Bertelsen, and his wife, Susan, both UCSB alumni, gave $1 million to foster entrepreneurial education in the College of Engineering and support research on the social impact of technology at the Center for Information Technology and Society.

Private gifts for campus building projects also increased.

Leadership gifts for construction of the Center for Film, Television and New Media included $2 million from an anonymous donor and $1 million from the Annenberg Foundation.

Wallis Annenberg, vice president of the foundation, is an honorary member of the center's distinguished advisory board.

Private giving helps strengthen the institution at its core and build a margin of excellence. The State of California provides only about 40 percent of UCSB's operating expenses.

"Private giving is a critical component of UCSB's academic excellence," said John M. Wiemann, vice chancellor for institutional advancement, of which development is a part.

"That our alumni and friends recognize the importance of philanthropic support to this extraordinary endeavor is most gratifying."