The University of California, Davis, announced today an 8 percent jump in fundraising for the past year, receiving almost $80 million in gifts from alumni, parents and friends in the 2004-05 fiscal year. It marked the second highest year on record for the university and the third consecutive year in which philanthropic support has increased.

Each of the university's colleges and schools received financial support, with the Health System raising the highest amount at more than $28 million, followed by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at $18 million, and the School of Veterinary Medicine at $15 million.

Of the $79.1 million in gifts to UC Davis, 53 percent will fund research projects, 14 percent will support students, and 12 percent will go to departmental support. The remaining 21 percent will benefit instruction and other projects.

Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef was pleased with the generous level of philanthropic support to the university, which receives about 30 percent of its total budget from the state.

"It is gratifying to know that so many generous individuals, foundations and corporations share UC Davis' vision and our goals to continue making new discoveries and engaging our students and global community," Vanderhoef said. "Gift support for UC Davis is essential to our success."

More than 46,000 individuals gave $25.4 million, or an 18 percent increase in dollars, compared with the previous year. Alumni support showed a dramatic increase -- more than 16,000 alumni gave $4.8 million, or a 71 percent increase in gifts.

Of the total, UC Davis received 13 gifts valued at $1 million or more in the fiscal year, which ended June 30, including:

• $6.5 million from the Theodora Peigh Estate for the School of Veterinary Medicine to provide scholarships for students pursuing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
• $1.5 million from Fred and Pat Anderson to establish an endowed chair for Transplant Research in the UC Davis Health System.
• $1.4 million from The California Endowment, benefiting the Frequent Users of Health Services initiative and the Department of Public Health farm worker's health research initiative.
• $1.2 million from the Clarence Albaugh Estate for the Department of Entomology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

In addition, Dr. Michael Chapman and his wife, Betty, pledged $1 million to help fund a new trauma center in the UC Davis Health System Surgery and Emergency Services Pavilion, scheduled to open in 2008.

"UC Davis has the only Level 1 trauma center in inland Northern California, and our gift helps preserve this invaluable resource for the community," said Chapman, chair of the board of trustees for the UC Davis Foundation.

The Chapmans are both alumni of the University of California system.

"Our lives are inextricably bound to the university. Everything we have today is due to the fact that we were able to go to a public university at a low cost," said Chapman. "Those of us who are able must provide support and assure anyone willing to work hard can get a first-class education."

About 2,500 foundations, corporations and other organizations gave more than $30 million to support research, teaching and other campus priorities. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation gave $600,000 to support the study of migration and economic change in rural Mexico. Like other philanthropic organizations that give to UC Davis, the foundation expressed strong confidence in the university.

"The UC Davis program is a model of U.S.-Mexican cooperation, providing both cutting-edge policy research and advanced training to new generations of economists focusing on Mexican rural and migration issues," said Paul Brest, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The UC Davis Annual Fund had its best year on record, increasing 9 percent from the year prior, to a total of $1.76 million. Over 19,000 individuals contributed to the fund, which provides support to areas where the need is greatest. Annual funds are typical for most universities across the nation, providing them some flexibility to meet current and unforeseen opportunities.

The level of philanthropic support for UC Davis remains strong. For six consecutive years, totals have topped more than $70 million annually.