UCF has achieved a record-breaking year in philanthropy and engagement, thanks to the incredible generosity and involvement of alumni, students, faculty, businesses and friends across the community — and especially Pegasus Partners.
For the third year in a row, UCF surpassed its strategic plan goal of $100 million. Thanks to more than 240,000 gifts, the university achieved $126.1 million in commitments from community members, alumni, foundations and partners who support UCF for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
UCF Pegasus Partners — which now include Addition Financial, AdventHealth, Lockheed Martin, Nemours Children’s Health, Orlando Health and Siemens Energy — are driving industry advancements, spurring cutting-edge research across fields, and creating strong career trajectories for the leaders of tomorrow.
“We are deeply grateful to all of our donors, alumni, and friends whose support fuels our momentum,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “UCF was built by people who believed in hard work, bold ideas and the power of opportunity to change lives. From our Pegasus Partners to the numerous other committed individuals and organizations, every gift strengthens that legacy and propels all we are building for the future.”
This outpouring of support is helping UCF shape a brighter future for Central Florida and beyond — creating more opportunities for students to achieve their dreams, strengthening research and innovation, and building programs that serve our region in meaningful ways.
Over the past year, donors committed more than $43.5 million in scholarships and resources that will directly support UCF students, faculty, facilities and programs. For many students, that support means being able to stay enrolled, focus on their studies or take part in experiences — like research projects or internships — that are critical to preparing them for the workforce, but might not have been possible otherwise.
Alumni participation also grew to its highest level, with more Knights than ever before stepping forward to give back. In total, more than 107,000 alumni reconnected with UCF by volunteering, attending events, mentoring students and supporting initiatives close to their hearts — a 24% increase over the previous year.
For one first-generation student, a scholarship meant not having to choose between taking a second job and continuing in a demanding engineering program. For another, donor support covered enough living expenses that she could compete regionally with the UCF student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, helping build valuable connections with others in her field. Stories like these illustrate the real impact behind the numbers: every gift, no matter the size, opens doors that can change the trajectory of a student’s life.
“One of the opportunities with UCF’s First-Generation Student Scholarship is attending workshops specifically designed for students like us,” says Sruthy Babu ’18. “It’s like someone with experience, in place of our parents, guiding us.”
Community giving reached new heights during UCF Day of Giving, when thousands of donors rallied together to raise more than $14.8 million in a single day, uniting Knight Nation enthusiasts across all 50 states as well as globally.
Local businesses and industry leaders also deepened their ties through the expanding Pegasus Partnership program, which recognizes UCF’s most transformative industry partnerships to date and now includes six major companies collaborating on research, workforce development and student success. These partnerships are not only advancing UCF’s mission but also fueling innovation and opportunity across Central Florida’s economy.
And throughout the year, UCF welcomed hundreds of community members for discovery days and campus visits, giving them the chance to see firsthand how their investments are sparking new ideas and transforming lives. More than 40 events were also held to honor and thank the many supporters whose generosity continues to drive UCF forward.
An especially significant achievement was the addition of $40.7 million — the most in UCF history — to the university’s endowment. An endowment is crucial because it provides long-term financial support that fuels scholarships, research and institutional growth.
“These extraordinary accomplishments are a direct result of the collective spirit and commitment of our community,” says Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships, and CEO of the UCF Foundation Inc. “Whether you are an alum, a student, a business leader or simply someone who believes in the catalytic power of higher education, your support is fueling a future where UCF’s impact will be felt more broadly than ever before.”
“Last fiscal year was not just a successful year — it was a transformative one,” Grabowski says. “We are building something extraordinary together, and the best is yet to come.”
