Campaign History

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Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine combines the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location.

With a commitment to cutting-edge research, teaching, learning and creativity, we are a driving force for discovery, benefiting our local, national and global communities in many ways.

500 Million Reasons to Celebrate at UC IrvineThe Shaping the Future comprehensive fundraising campaign began at UC Irvine during the 2005-2006 school year.

As one of the initiatives of Chancellor Michael V. Drake's first year of leadership at UC Irvine, donors contributed more than $100 million in private financing.

Community leaders became involved in guiding the campaign and worked with people in the region to set the stage for the public announcement of the campaign.

The campaign was publicly launched in the fall of 2008 at UCI's annual gala honoring recipients of the UC Irvine Medal - the school's highest honor awarded to individuals for making extraordinary contributions to the university's mission of teaching, research and public service.

The leaders of the campaign committee announced that individuals, foundations and corporations had already given $400 million as foundational gifts to the campaign.

By uniting UCI's local and global communities, alumni and longtime supporters alike, the Shaping the Future campaign is dedicated to realizing the university's mission, making a difference in individual lives and, in turn, transforming the world.

As of mid-March 2010, the university had received more than $512 million for the campaign from over 100,000 donors. The campaign continues through 2015 – the 50th anniversary of UCI’s founding.

Chancellor Michael Drake said the campaign’s success is a testament to the commitment and vision of donors.

“We have seen the largest cash gift in UCI’s history and a substantial and gratifying increase in the number of people giving to the university.  This is especially heartwarming during these very difficult economic times,” he said.

The Shaping the Future project takes on added importance as students and families cope with UC-wide fee increases. “I’m pleased that more than 2,000 student scholarships have been funded so far, and major efforts are under way to produce even greater support for our students,” Drake added.

James Mazzo, president of Abbott Medical Optics and chairman of the UC Irvine Foundation, said the campaign is successful because UCI has a strong and compelling vision for its future, a confident and flexible game plan and a commitment to joining the ranks of the nation’s top universities.

Frank LaFerla, left, Mathew Blurton-Jones and colleagues found that neural stem cells could be a potential treatment for advanced Alzheimer's disease.UC Irvine scientists Frank LaFerla, left, Mathew Blurton-Jones and colleagues have found that neural stem cells could be a potential treatment for advanced Alzheimer's disease.
 
“UCI is making a difference in things that really matter to people: world-class medical care, new energy and environmental technologies, cognitive science and education, and keeping California at the forefront of global culture and business,” he said.