Letter from the UGA Foundation Chairman

During my time on the board, the University of Georgia—in partnership with the UGA Foundation—has achieved what was once unimaginable. Records have been shattered, lives transformed, and impact amplified throughout the state and the world. The foundation’s endowment reached an all-time high of $1.1 billion, enabling the foundation to provide more than $75 million to support UGA’s mission of teaching, research, and service.

This year, the University of Georgia surpassed its $1.2 billion campaign goal 16 months ahead of schedule, thanks in part to efforts by the Board of Trustees. Donors to the Commit to Georgia Campaign have opened doors for students and contributed to groundbreaking research, and the effects of the campaign will reverberate through generations.

Trustees have made generous gifts, but they’re not just donors. They’re advocates. Their support takes many shapes: recruiting peers, volunteering their time, hosting events, mentoring students, and meeting with faculty.

One of the proudest accomplishments of this board has been establishing the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program, through which the UGA Foundation matches gifts of $50,000, $75,000, and $100,000 to establish endowed need-based scholarships. This year, we surpassed our goal of establishing more than 400 new annual scholarships.

What an honor it will be to witness the future successes of this foundation and the University of Georgia, especially those we cannot imagine today.

William W. Douglas III

As part of our strategic plan, I championed the establishment of a committee that serves to better engage emeriti trustees because their advocacy doesn’t expire with their term. This group has already tackled important initiatives, including help with launching the UGA Mentor Program—an incredibly meaningful way for alumni to give back.

Serving as Chairman of the Board has been an honor, and when my term ended in June, I left with a comforting thought: Chairman John Crawford IV will have an even greater impact. Welcoming a new batch of trustees reminded me that each new trustee can accelerate the work of the UGA Foundation. What an honor it will be to witness the future successes of this foundation and the University of Georgia, especially those we cannot imagine today.

Sincerely,

William W. Douglas III