Donors Give Quarter-Billion in Gifts to UA, Breaking Fundraising Records

The University of Alabama raised an all-time high amount of money from donors this fiscal year, with more than 60,000 people pledging over a quarter billion dollars to the Capstone.

In a Thursday news release, UA said they raised more than $261 million in charitable gifts and pledges in Fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30th.

The jaw-dropping amount eclipsed last year's $226 million total, which was a record-high amount.

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It also puts UA on pace to exceed the goals of its Rising Tide 2.0 capital campaign to raise $1.8 billion and fund scholarships, athletics, research advancement, and more.

The original Rising Tide campaign aimed to raise $1.5 billion, but donors exceeded that goal in February, and the University decided to increase the target by $300 million for Rising Tide 2.0.

“The generosity of our students, faculty, alumni, friends and partners has led to another record-breaking year for UA,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “The momentum behind The Rising Tide 2.0 campaign continues to drive our progress, ensuring that we are building on a strong foundation to support the future of the University and its impact on our community and beyond.”

UA said over the nine years of the campaign, more than 172,000 donors, including 91,500 first-time donors, have given gifts to Alabama.

The school said the cash raised so far has generated more than 1,050 endowed scholarships, funded 65 faculty positions and paid for more than 500,000 square feet of construction in campus facilities.

Moving forward, UA looks to fund 75 more faculty endowments and continue capital improvements and new projects across its growing campus.

“University of Alabama donors continue to outdo themselves,” said Bob Pierce, vice president for advancement at UA. “When we finished the last two fiscal years right at $226 million, both record years, we could not have envisioned that we would eclipse that mark by 15% in the eighth year of the campaign. It is just remarkable and is further evidence of the dedication and commitment of UA alumni and donors. The passion for the Capstone is tremendous, and this level of philanthropic investment year after year proves that our constituents believe in the University and want to see it continue to rise in prominence and prestige.”

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