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UNC development reports rebound in commitments; Gillings, Ackland and Honors donors fund research, conservation and career services
Summary
Vice Chancellor Mike Andreessen reported a rebound in fundraising with $197 million in new commitments as of December and $247 million by late January; the meeting also highlighted gifts supporting ovarian‑cancer research, the Ackland Museum paper‑conservation position and Honors Carolina’s career initiative.
Vice Chancellor for Development Mike Andreessen told trustees the university’s fundraising recovery continued through the fall with new commitments of $197 million reported at the December midpoint and a later update pushing the total to $247 million.
Andreessen said new major‑gift proposals were up nearly 40% in the first six months of the academic year and cash receipts were up roughly 10% year‑over‑year, trends he said indicate donor engagement is strengthening after a softer prior year. He noted the five‑year comparison is affected by an accounting standard change in 2024.
The committee heard three donor stories as examples of recent activity: a $200,000 grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance to Dr. Caroline Thompson (Gillings School of Global Public Health) to study diagnostic delays in ovarian and uterine cancer and to complement a $10 million ARPA‑H award; a $2 million anonymous gift to the Ackland Art Museum to endow the paper conservation position (enabling shared curatorial and teaching duties); and multi‑million‑dollar expendable commitments from Blake and Chad Pike to sustain the Honors Carolina “Go Anywhere” career development initiative, which now supports coaching, internships and an alumni network platform.
Andreessen said the development office is engaging deans and external volunteers to pressure‑test campaign priorities this spring and will use the results to frame the university’s next multibillion‑dollar campaign.
Ending: Trustees praised donors and requested regular updates on campaign planning and progress toward the fall 10‑year priorities.
