UNC-Chapel Hill surpasses $5 billion for the Campaign for Carolina
With more than one month remaining, the campaign’s focus remains on support for scholarships.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Campaign for Carolina has surpassed $5 billion with more than one month remaining in the comprehensive fundraising campaign. More than 215,000 donors made gifts to support students, initiatives and the research and scholarship of faculty throughout the University.
The total shatters fundraising records at Carolina and places the Campaign for Carolina among the most successful efforts ever in higher education.
UNC-Chapel Hill currently stands as one of just six public universities in the U.S. to surpass $5 billion in a single campaign — and the only university, public or private, in the South to do so. It is one of just 16 universities in the nation to reach $5 billion.
“I am immensely grateful for the community of donors and volunteers who have supported us on this journey,” said Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz. “Their generosity represents a strong affirmation of our mission of teaching, research and service. Reaching this milestone ensures that Carolina will continue to prepare generations of students and scholars to solve the grand challenges of our time.”
The Campaign for Carolina launched publicly in 2017, passing its original overall goal of $4.25 billion in January 2022. Donations continue to accelerate as the fundraising initiative concludes on Dec. 31, 2022. Campaign supporters gave $798.1 million during the 2021-22 fiscal year, setting a new high for funds raised in a single year at the University.
Along with public funding from the state of North Carolina, gifts from people and institutions are the lifeblood of Carolina. The generosity of individual donors, corporations and foundations made this momentous accomplishment possible, as well as the support of more than 3,300 volunteers who served on boards and committees throughout the University. Additionally, Carolina’s world-class faculty worked throughout the campaign to show the value their teaching, innovation and groundbreaking research brings to the state of North Carolina and the world.
“We have arrived at this extraordinary moment because of our donors,” said Vice Chancellor for Development David Routh. “Carolina is truly fortunate to have such broad support from people who find ways to give and to help others. Our University has a stronger future because of them.”
Fundraising for the Campaign for Carolina has been organized around three pillars: Students and the Educational Experience; Faculty and Scholarship; and Innovation and Impact. From talented students and outstanding faculty to innovative thinkers and problem-solvers, each pillar focuses on the potential to have a tangible impact on the people of North Carolina and beyond.
Fundraising will continue in the final weeks of 2022 to meet multiple campaign goals, including reaching $1 billion for scholarships and fellowships. Currently, Carolina has raised $990 million toward that initiative.
“Even as we celebrate the accomplishments of our donors, we continue to work hard to reach important campaign goals in the time we have left,” Routh said. “Scholarships and fellowships are key to attracting the brightest students and keeping Carolina accessible and affordable.”
By the Numbers
Facts and statistics about the Campaign for Carolina as of Nov. 16, 2022:
- $5,015,019,705 is the total amount raised for the Campaign for Carolina with more than a month to go.
- More than 215,000 donors contributed to the campaign, including:
- more than 106,000 of new donors,
- more than 96,000 alumni donors, and
- almost 4,800 faculty and staff members.
- More than 3,300 volunteers served on boards and committees across the University to make the Campaign for Carolina a success.
- Donors made more than 723,000 gifts throughout the campaign.
- Donors hail from all 100 North Carolina counties and all 50 states.
- Donors made gifts of all sizes to help the Campaign for Carolina reach this $5 billion milestone.
- 74 donors gave $10 million or more.
- 721 donors gave $1 million or more.
- 160,611 donors gave under $1,000.
- $50 is the median gift to the campaign.
- UNC-Chapel Hill is the first university in the South to raise more than $5 billion in a single campaign.
- UNC-Chapel Hill is currently one of six public universities in the U.S. to raise more than $5 billion in a single campaign. The other five universities are University of California, Berkeley; University of California, San Francisco; UCLA; University of Michigan; and University of Washington.
