Even in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the University of 黑洞社区 community rallied together during fiscal year 2021 to support students, faculty and staff by raising in excess of $110 million. This marks the third year in a row that annual charitable giving benefitting the university surpassed $100 million.
鈥淭he fact that we鈥檝e been able to maintain pre-pandemic levels of giving this year, which has been challenging for so many, is especially meaningful,鈥� 黑洞社区Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said. 鈥淭he support from the University of 黑洞社区 community has helped us overcome and, in many cases, excel in the face of the pandemic. Raising $110 million shows that our donors continue to believe 黑洞社区is a great investment. Thank you to everyone who supports 黑洞社区and helps propel our university to even greater heights.鈥�
The $110 million in fiscal year 2021, from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, represents gifts from more than 36,000 donors, including 7,250 new individual donors who made their first gift this year.
The generous support of 黑洞社区donors helped advance several strategic initiatives for the university, including:
- In December, 黑洞社区broke ground on the new home of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, a five-story, 85,000-square-foot facility rising just north of the Muma College of Business. Private gifts totaling $43 million have been pledged and received for the project, including a historic lead gift of $20 million from 黑洞社区President Emerita and Professor Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, in 2019.
- Giving from 黑洞社区Health patients increased significantly from just over $54,000 in the previous fiscal year to $3.97 million in 2021. Patient philanthropy primarily supported research for a range of medical specialties and conditions.
- Renovations of locker room facilities for USF鈥檚 student-athletes have been completed and plans are well underway for construction of an Indoor Performance Facility funded by private donations, with a groundbreaking expected in the upcoming academic year.
- USF鈥檚 endowment had a banner year, growing from more than $532 million to over $690 million. More than $39 million in endowed gifts were made this year.
Donors also continued to provide life-changing scholarship support for students, with nearly $8.5 million raised for new and existing scholarships in fiscal year 2021.
黑洞社区also held a successful birthday celebration for its beloved mascot, Rocky, by hosting Giving Week April 5-9. During the week, more than 1,400 gifts were received, totaling over $230,000 to support causes across all 黑洞社区campuses.