Donors drive record-breaking support for UC and UC Health

Generous donors have propelled the University of Cincinnati and UC Health to a historic fundraising year, contributing an unprecedented $228,479,079 in support.

“This remarkable milestone is a testament to the unwavering generosity of donors, whose contributions will resonate for generations of Bearcats to come,” said UC Foundation President Rich Bundy. “I am grateful to our donors for creating immeasurable opportunities for the future and the health of our region.”

Donors are creating opportunities and empowering countless students and communities. This reflects the deep commitment of alumni, friends and community partners to advancing education, research and health care.

Notable highlights from this fundraising milestone include:

• Jagtar “Jay” Chaudhry, CEAS ’82, ’83, Bus ’86, and P. Jyoti Chaudhry, Bus ’87, established the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund with a $4 million gift to UC. This will fully fund the UC education of approximately 150 first-generation, Pell-eligible students in UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House beginning in the fall of 2025.
• An anonymous donor has provided a $5 million gift to UC Blue Ash College and UC Clermont College, which will support paid internships, co-ops, expanded career services and scholarships for students.
• The eighth annual UC Day of Giving in April 2025 raised $1 million from more than 2,700 gifts. In support of student scholarships, 946 donors gave nearly $410,000. Causes such as the UC Student Emergency Fund, UC Fund for Scholarships and the Bearcats Pantry & Resource Center benefited from 387 donors who made targeted gifts to drive student success. 
• Larry and Rhonda Sheakley were the lead donors for the new Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Sheakley Athletics Performance Center. Thanks to the many generous Bearcats, the $134 million facility is set to transform Cincinnati Athletics and will be one of the premier facilities of its kind in the country. 
• A $5 million gift from the Farmer Family Foundation will support renovations to the UC Medical Center neuroscience floor and neuro-ICU, as well as create a neuroscience nurse training program in partnership with the UC College of Nursing.
• An anonymous gift to the UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business expands financial literacy education campus-wide.

Donors across the country and the globe are fostering student success, improving patient care and creating new opportunities. Additional highlights from the past year include:

• Donors contributed more than $50.6 million in scholarship gifts to support UC’s commitment to student access and affordability, including more than $8 million from corporate and foundation partners, many of whom also take on UC students for co-op experiences.
• 133 new scholarship funds were created, and Bearcats gave to 738 existing scholarship funds.
• Donors established 98 estate gifts, totaling $63,945,380.

Neville G. Pinto, president, University of Cincinnati: Bearcats have a deep sense of personal connection and responsibility to their beloved university. I am incredibly appreciative to our donors who make an enormous difference in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. Their generosity brings our university’s bold vision to life.

Cory D. Shaw, president & chief executive officer, UC Health: The partnership of our donors is crucial to our success. Their support fuels world-class care, groundbreaking research and a healthier future for the entire Greater Cincinnati community.

Leigh Fox, Bus ’01, chair, UC Foundation Board of Trustees: Philanthropy changes lives, and our partnership with donors is integral to our community’s success. Across Cincinnati and around the globe, UC alumni and friends reaffirmed their commitment to the missions of higher education and health care.

Featured image at top: UC students on campus. Photo/Chris Radcliffe for the UC Foundation.