Golden State Today

UC Berkeley has announced a record-breaking fundraising achievement for the 2023-24 fiscal year, raising $1.31 billion in philanthropic support. Chancellor Rich Lyons conveyed his gratitude to the campus community, emphasizing the significant impact of these contributions on students, faculty, and programs.

"Every gift, regardless of size, supports Berkeley's mission and helps us forge an ever-stronger culture of philanthropy," said Chancellor Lyons.

The funds raised will benefit various initiatives including scholarships, faculty positions, and research projects. Notable achievements supported by this fundraising include the opening of Helen Diller Anchor House for transfer students and the forthcoming Bakar ClimatEnginuity Hub. Additionally, programmatic investments are set to enhance student experiences and bolster research excellence.

The Graduate School of Journalism received a transformative $10 million pledge last year, allowing it to double financial aid for incoming students in fall 2024. Undergraduates have also benefited from scholarships and programmatic support through an $11 million bequest that provides flexible student support and new resources for the Department of Music and the Center for African Studies.

Investments in health and environmental research have been bolstered by donor contributions to initiatives such as the Innovative Genomics Institute’s Audacious Project and the Molecular Therapeutics Initiative.

Chancellor Lyons acknowledged other significant contributions from members of the Charter Hill Society (CHS) who provided over $750 million in gifts last year across various departments and programs. The Big Give campaign has also raised more than $115 million over its 10-year span, attracting 25,000 new donors to campus.

While most donations are designated for specific purposes per donors' intentions—such as endowed chairs or capital projects—a small portion is allocated at the discretion of campus leaders. Despite this year's record-breaking total, UC Berkeley continues to face budget challenges due to rising costs and reductions in other sources of support.

Chancellor Lyons concluded by expressing his appreciation: "Every donation to Berkeley tells a story of our strong and vibrant community, one that continues to respond to the challenges of a changing world."