University of Wisconsin Fundraising Drive Generates $250 Million

A University of Wisconsin-Madison fundraising drive that began last fall with a $100 million pledge has generated a quarter of a billion dollars, university officials announced Tuesday.

Alumni John and Tashia Morgridge pledged last November to match up to $100 million in donations—the largest gift from individual donors in school history—to help establish endowed professorships and chairmanships. UW officials said they anticipated it would take two to three years to fulfill the match, but in seven months 1,000 donors responded with $125 million. The Morgridges have agreed to increase their match by $25 million, generating $250 million.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in a statement the gift "is an investment in Wisconsin students for generations to come."