Philanthropic Support to UC Davis Surpasses $100 Million for Third Consecutive Year

August 12, 2009 — Donors supported the University of California, Davis, with $108.1 million in gifts, pledges and private grants during the 2008-09 fiscal year, marking the third consecutive year that philanthropic support has surpassed $100 million.

In all, the number of gifts rose to 49,896, an increase of 1 percent from 2007-08, illustrating the commitment of UC Davis’ donors even during these times of financial turbulence.

The wide range of gifts included a $16 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight childhood malnutrition, a collection of valuable prints from renowned painter Wayne Thiebaud and his wife, Betty Jean, and nearly $1.3 million from the Autism Speaks advocacy group to investigate autism.

The $108.1 million total for the year ending June 30, 2009, continues a generally upward trend in philanthropic giving to UC Davis. The dollar total represents a 7 percent jump compared with the 2006-07 fiscal year. Philanthropic gifts to UC Davis in 2007-08 exceeded $200 million for the first time, due in large part to a $100 million philanthropic grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to found the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.

Outgoing Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef expressed gratitude for the generosity of so many and pointed out how important philanthropic support is to UC Davis as the university works through a difficult economy.

“Throughout my 25 years at UC Davis, and especially in this my final year as chancellor, I’ve been inspired by our donors,” Vanderhoef said. “They all deserve thanks for the vision and generosity they’ve shown to help further our commitment as a land-grant institution to serving California and society.”

Added Chancellor-designate Linda Katehi, who will take leadership of UC Davis on Aug. 17: “Philanthropy has been vital to UC Davis throughout its first 100 years, and it will continue to be essential to sustaining and transforming the university into its second century of progress and service. It’s already clear to me that UC Davis’ donors are extraordinarily passionate and committed supporters of this great university. I look forward to meeting with and hearing from so many more of them.”

Donors in 2008-09 included alumni, parents, faculty and friends, as well as corporations, foundations, and other organizations. The $108.1 million provided a wide range of support for students, faculty and programs and came from a broad financial range, according to Cheryl Brown Lohse, associate vice chancellor for University Development. Consider that 16 donors made gifts of $1 million or more, while UC Davis students made important contributions through a senior class gift effort.

“In these difficult economic times,” Lohse said, “it is a great tribute to UC Davis that donors continue to keep the university as a priority. UC Davis offers donors opportunities to meet their own philanthropic goals and to make a difference in areas that matter most to them.”

Gifts to UC Davis support a wide range of purposes, helping to shape tomorrow’s leaders, serve California and the world, and finance research toward new discoveries that improve the quality of life for humans and animals.

Some highlights of the year’s donations include:

* $16 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support research to prevent childhood malnutrition in developing countries. The five-year philanthropic grant is helping UC Davis lead an international team of researchers to formulate a nutritional supplement for women and children in impoverished areas of the world.
* Thiebaud, a world-renowned painter and UC Davis professor emeritus, and his wife gave the campus a rare birthday gift: 20 of Thiebaud’s hand-worked prints valued at an estimated $860,000. One, “Cakes and Pies,” is featured in a series of limited-edition posters in honor of the UC Davis Centennial, which is being celebrated through the end of the summer. The others will be publicly exhibited at the Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Arts Collection on campus in January 2010 and have been made available right away for art students to study.
* The nearly $1.3 million philanthropic grant from Autism Speaks to the UC Davis Health System, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Biological Sciences, for research investigating autism. In April, UC Davis reported on research partially funded by Autism Speaks grants to the School of Veterinary Medicine and M.I.N.D. Institute. The research findings may explain the association between exposure of the developing nervous system to the organic compounds known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and behavioral deficits in children.
* $2.5 million from the Chevron Corp. to create the Chevron Chair in Energy Efficiency. The appointee will direct the Energy Efficiency Center, which was established in 2006. The world’s first university center of excellence in energy efficiency, its primary objective is to speed the transfer of energy-saving products and services into the homes, businesses and lives of Californians.
* More than 16,000 donors supported the Annual Fund in 2008-09, giving nearly $1.8 million. The chancellor allocates Annual Fund gifts to areas of greatest need, including student scholarships and faculty support. Many donors honored Chancellor Vanderhoef, who is stepping down Aug. 16, by giving to the UC Davis Annual Fund in his name or by contributing to a special fund created in his honor, the Larry N. Vanderhoef Scholarship Fund for Students and Staff.

All 10 of UC Davis’ colleges and professional schools received private support. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recorded the highest amount, at $39.2 million. It was followed by the UC Davis Health System, at $20.4 million, and the School of Veterinary Medicine, at $10.6 million.

Gifts to UC Davis are used for the purpose that the donor defines and are accepted through either the UC Regents or the UC Davis Foundation, both of which are authorized to receive gifts for the university. The foundation, established in 1959 and now celebrating its 50th anniversary, receives private gifts to benefit UC Davis, invests its endowed gift funds and other private assets, and advises university leaders in areas related to public trust and support.

Pam Fair ’80 currently chairs the foundation board of trustees, which includes 41 other volunteer leaders.

“As an alumna and trustee, I’m proud of UC Davis’ contributions to society and the recognition of its excellence that each gift represents,” said Fair, who has a strong personal commitment to giving to the university, including generous support for unrestricted giving and other campus areas.

UC Davis on average receives about 21 percent of its total budget annually from the state, and receives additional support from a variety of funding sources, including donors. UC Davis has crossed the $100 million threshold three times before, including the past two years.

“UC Davis continues to progress among the top universities in the nation,” said Beverly “Babs” Sandeen, vice chancellor for University Relations and president of the UC Davis Foundation. “Our university thrives as a public-private partnership. Gift support works in synergy with state support, helping to leverage vital state funding. In this way, UC Davis is able to continue to serve, and to excel in teaching, research and public service.”

About UC Davis
For 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has 31,000 students, an annual research budget that exceeds $500 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges — Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science — and advanced degrees from six professional schools — Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.