In its most successful year of fundraising to date, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences raised nearly $24 million in gifts, the second-highest total among all UGA colleges and schools for the fiscal year 2018, which ended June 30.

In fact, the fiscal 2018 total surpassed last year’s fundraising total by more than $15 million.

“We thank our supporters who recognize the value of our teaching, research and extension programs and have chosen to make investments in our long-term success,” said Mary Ann Parsons, senior director of development for the college. “As we look toward the future, this support provides a vital foundation for our ability to continue to educate tomorrow’s workforce, provide high-quality research programs, and equip our county faculty with the resources to tackle challenges in communities across the state.”

To date, CAES donors have contributed more than $75 million to the Commit to Georgia campaign, a multiyear effort to increase scholarships, improve classroom opportunities, and support research and service across the university. The growth of campaign donations by UGA donors has set a record for five years straight.

The total endowed funds to CAES reached nearly $40 million and included an endowed chair and three endowed professorships.

Fiscal 2018 giving by alumni and friends of CAES resulted in a 10.5 percent increase in the annual fund, and 777 individuals made their first gift to CAES.

These gifts will have a huge impact on CAES students. Already, $150,000 has been designated to CAES for Georgia Commitment Scholarships, need-based undergraduate student scholarships that are matched dollar-for-dollar by the UGA Foundation. These funds help to cover students’ costs that may not be covered by other scholarships or grants, thereby removing students’ financial barriers. 

CAES is better equipped to train the next generation of scientists and to contribute to Georgia’s largest economic sector thanks to the generosity of alumni, corporations, foundations and friends.

To learn more about giving to CAES, visit www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/giving or contact the CAES Office of Development and Alumni Relations by calling 706-542-3390.