{"id":107010,"date":"2025-08-28T13:54:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T17:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/?p=107010"},"modified":"2025-08-28T13:54:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T17:54:19","slug":"umw-reports-record-breaking-37-8-million-raised-in-2024-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/28\/umw-reports-record-breaking-37-8-million-raised-in-2024-25\/","title":{"rendered":"UMW Reports Record-Breaking $37.8 Million Raised in 2024-25"},"content":{"rendered":"

The University of Mary Washington wrapped up its most successful fundraising year ever June 30, with a record $37,867,639 <\/strong>in gifts and pledges made in 2024-25. Giving participation increased across every UMW constituency, including alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and students.<\/p>\n

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The University of Mary Washington announces its most successful fundraising year to date, with $37.8 million raised in 2024-25 to support UMW students, programs, faculty and staff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re truly grateful to both our new and longtime donors for investing in the mission of this University,\u201d UMW President Troy Paino said. \u201cYour contributions play a vital role in helping us recruit, retain and graduate students who are not only prepared for life after Mary Washington but for the rapidly changing digital world and workforce of the 21st century.\u201d<\/p>\n

This record-setting year also pushed UMW\u2019s endowment to surpass $100 million<\/strong>, creating lasting philanthropic resources for merit- and need-based scholarships, academic programs, experiential learning, faculty resources and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cReaching the $100 million milestone for our endowment demonstrates the power of philanthropy to strengthen UMW today and to help secure its future,\u201d said Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director. \u201cThe generosity of our donors combined with strong fiscal management from the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees ensures that the Foundation contributes directly to the University\u2019s success, while providing lasting support for students, faculty, staff and programs for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Achieving this milestone was possible in part, Turcotte said, because of the final distribution of the transformational $36 million estate gift<\/strong> that Irene Piscopo Rodgers \u201959<\/strong><\/a> left her alma mater when she passed away in 2022, funding four new full-ride scholarships for out-of-state students, in addition to the eight she established during her lifetime, and creating one of the largest endowments for undergraduate STEM research in the country. Her generosity has inspired both current and first-time donors to prioritize the University in their philanthropic giving. Yet, even outside of that single large gift, the fundraising team at Mary Washington has continued to increase its work with donors, reaching new heights for new outright and multi-year gifts each year.<\/p>\n

Bucking national trends, UMW saw an 8% increase in unique donor count<\/strong> in the last year. A total of 5,526 supporters, over half of whom are alumni, helped Mary Washington reaffirm its strong commitment to delivering students an exceptional public liberal arts and sciences education filled with high-impact learning experiences such as internships, study abroad and undergraduate research opportunities.<\/p>\n

Contributions supported 317 areas across the University, spanning academics, arts, athletics, leadership and service programs, career development, cultural initiatives and programs to help prepare and educate students on the advancement of AI and other emerging technologies.<\/p>\n

Making a UMW education affordable and accessible remains a priority at Mary Washington, with donors giving $3.57 million to support endowed and non-endowed scholarships in 2024-25. More than 824 scholarships and awards totaling $2.3 million were given to 553 students who received one or more awards. Seventeen awards were given to students for the first time, including the Curie Darwin Newton, Marshall E. Bowen, Colonel Patricia Hess Jernigan \u201964 Veterans and Ralston Costume Design and Technology scholarships.<\/p>\n

Mary Wash Day 2025<\/strong><\/a> shattered previous records for dollars raised, with donors contributing over $1.3 million<\/strong> \u2013 the first time in the event\u2019s history that totals exceeded six figures. This year also saw a 58% increase in dollars raised<\/strong> over last year and a 12% increase in donations<\/strong>, with 3,654 gifts made to support students, faculty and programs.<\/p>\n

For the first time in almost a decade, giving to the Fund for Mary Washington surpassed $1 million<\/strong>. The unrestricted annual fund underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved \u2013 a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and more. UMW reported a 133% increase in gifts from first-time donors to the Fund<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants<\/strong><\/a> program, now in its second year, awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants<\/strong> to power student- and faculty-led projects. These include a first-year success workshop, essential technology upgrades, vital accessibility improvements, vibrant campus art initiatives and passport grants that enable life-changing study abroad experiences for first-time travelers.<\/p>\n

Other 2024-25 highlights include: <\/strong><\/h3>\n