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 \u2014 and especially Pegasus Partners.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
UCF Pegasus Partners \u2014 which now include Addition Financial, AdventHealth, Lockheed Martin, Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Orlando Health and Siemens Energy \u2014 are driving industry advancements, spurring cutting-edge research across fields, and creating strong career trajectories for the leaders of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply grateful to all of our donors, alumni, and friends whose support fuels our momentum,\u201d says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. \u201cUCF 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
This outpouring of support is helping UCF shape a brighter future for Central Florida and beyond \u2014 creating more opportunities for students to achieve their dreams, strengthening research and innovation, and building programs that serve our region in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 like research projects or internships \u2014 that are critical to preparing them for the workforce, but might not have been possible otherwise.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 a 24% increase over the previous year.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the opportunities with UCF\u2019s First-Generation Student Scholarship is attending workshops specifically designed for students like us,\u201d says Sruthy Babu \u201918<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s like someone with experience, in place of our parents, guiding us.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Local businesses and industry leaders also deepened their ties through the expanding Pegasus Partnership program, which recognizes UCF\u2019s 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\u2019s mission but also fueling innovation and opportunity across Central Florida\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n An especially significant achievement was the addition of $40.7 million \u2014 the most in UCF history \u2014 to the university\u2019s endowment. An endowment is crucial because it provides long-term financial support that fuels scholarships, research and institutional growth.<\/p>\n \u201cThese extraordinary accomplishments are a direct result of the collective spirit and commitment of our community,\u201d says Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships, and CEO of the UCF Foundation Inc. \u201cWhether 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\u2019s impact will be felt more broadly than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLast fiscal year was not just a successful year \u2014 it was a transformative one,\u201d Grabowski says. \u201cWe are building something extraordinary together, and the best is yet to come.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The university has set bold new standards for philanthropy, engagement and partnerships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":148882,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[3703],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-149310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colleges","tag-philanthropy"],"yoast_head":"\n