The University of Arkansas at Little Rock finished the 2018 fiscal year with $18 million in private gift support, surpassing its annual goal and making this the third-best year in the university’s fundraising history.
More than 7,400 individuals, corporations and private foundations gave 24,642 gifts between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. Also, 29 new endowments worth nearly $1 million were established, bringing UA Little Rock’s total endowment to more than $78 million.
Among the gifts were nearly $1 million from Windgate Foundation to establish a professorship in applied art; $800,000 from Dr. Bruce Murphy, president and CEO of Arkansas Heart Hospital, to benefit students in the College of Education & Health Professions; and nearly $1 million to create a more affordable pathway to a law degree for Pulaski County residents. That money is part of the charitable component left over in a $45 million cigarette settlement fund.
Private funding allowed for the creation of the Signature Research Experience Awards, a new program in 2017-18 that provided 79 students an opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research or creative works project.
Trojan Athletics posted a banner year with $4.3 million in gifts designated for student-athlete support. The university’s largest gift was a $1.4 million gift from Greg Hatcher, CEO of The Hatcher Agency, to start a NCAA Division I wrestling program.
The UA Little Rock Alumni Association’s signature fundraiser — Taste of Little Rock — raised more than $130,000 for scholarships. More than half of UA Little Rock employees also contributed through the university’s “All In” campus campaign.
The university plans to launch its new capital campaign in Fall 2019.
Sign up for Daily E-news
