UC Davis’ Record $676M Fundraising Year Marks New Era of Philanthropy

Historic Donor Support More Than Doubled the University's Fundraising Record, Anchored by Two Landmark Gifts to Veterinary Medicine

The University of California, Davis, raised more than $676 million in philanthropic support during fiscal year 2025–26, more than doubling the university's previous giving record and marking the strongest fundraising year in its history.

Donors’ unprecedented level of investment in UC Davis will expand opportunities for students, strengthen faculty excellence, accelerate discoveries that improve lives, and support new facilities and programs that elevate the university’s impact across California and beyond.

"This is a defining moment for UC Davis," Chancellor Gary S. May said. "The extraordinary support from our community reflects a shared belief in what a public university can do: create opportunity, drive discovery and change lives. Together, we're building a brighter future that will reach far beyond our campus for generations to come.”

From July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the university raised $676,216,825 with 56,153 gifts from 29,668 donors to support disciplines and programs across UC Davis and UC Davis Health — from veterinary medicine and agricultural innovation to health care, research, the arts and student success.

Landmark gifts fuel a historic year

The record-breaking year was anchored by two landmark gifts to veterinary medicine. 

In January, Joan and Sanford I. Weill committed $120 million through the Weill Family Foundation to build a new small animal teaching hospital, increase translational research, and rename the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. Three months later, Bay Area philanthropists Kathy Chiao and Kenneth Hao gave the school $75 million to help fund the small animal hospital, expand scholarships and research opportunities, and grow programs for those unable to afford veterinary care. 

The gifts are accelerating the veterinary school’s Limitless campaign, launched in September 2025, which will build the Veterinary Medical Complex of the future through new teaching, research and clinical facilities, and expand support for students and programs.

While transformational giving helped define this historic year, it was part of a much larger story unfolding across the university.

"We are deeply grateful for the thousands of acts of generosity and years of trusted relationships with our donors and volunteers," said Shaun B. Keister, vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations. "A year that more than doubles our previous fundraising record shows us that our community believes deeply in UC Davis and in what we can accomplish together.”

Record support across the university

Three UC Davis academic units set new fundraising records this year. 

The Weill School of Veterinary Medicine raised more than $261 million, more than doubling the previous record set just one year earlier — its second consecutive year of record fundraising.  The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences raised more than $231 million, also more than twice its previous record, and the College of Biological Sciences raised a historic total of more than $19 million. 

UC Davis Health recorded the third-highest fundraising total, with more than $74 million raised for the School of Medicine, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing and the UC Davis Medical Center.

Give Day also celebrated a major milestone this year, marking its 10th anniversary. Nearly 4,500 donations raised almost $3.9 million during the annual 29-hour giving event, bringing its decade-long impact to more than $32 million from over 56,000 donors supporting students, research, health care and programs across UC Davis and UC Davis Health. 

Donor support takes shape

Two significant projects made possible by donor support in prior years also came to life this year.

In November, UC Davis celebrated the opening of the Maria Manetti Shrem Institute for Sustainable Design, Fashion and Textiles, made possible by Maria Manetti Shrem’s gift of more than $20 million to the UC Davis College of Letters and Science. The institute is advancing interdisciplinary teaching and research at the intersection of design, sustainability and technology, creating new opportunities for students and faculty. 

The Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation opened in May, thanks to a lead gift of $40 million from Lynda and Stewart Resnick, creating a new hub where students, researchers and industry partners are advancing the future of food and agriculture. 

The record-setting year reflects broad philanthropic momentum across UC Davis, with alumni, grateful patients, foundations, corporations and friends investing in every area of the university. As these gifts are put to work, they will expand educational opportunities, fuel research and innovation, strengthen patient care, and create lasting benefits for California and communities around the world.