The Future In Focus

The University of Georgia Foundation has supported the University of Georgia for over 85 years, driven by a belief in the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.

One of the Foundation’s primary responsibilities is managing $1.9 billion in assets, $1.5 billion of which is endowed. The Foundation stewards these assets, monitoring economic conditions and forecasts to ensure that the resources entrusted by donors generate consistent support for students, faculty, and the work of the University.

The UGA Foundation allocates an average of $102 million annually to the University to award scholarships, fund the work of endowed faculty members, advance research, and more.

Forty-six members of the Board of Trustees lead the Foundation and serve as ambassadors and advocates for UGA. Using an annual allotment and surplus funds, trustees also direct aid to areas of need. This year, the trustees allocated more than $8.4 million to support merit- and need-based scholarships, meal plan scholarships, student wellness, and Georgia’s rural students.

Overhead view of Sanford Stadium

Georgia Women Give

An initiative years in the making, Georgia Women Give launched to great success in FY23. The development of this women-directed fundraising initiative was led by a group of women trustees with the goal of inviting more women to become philanthropists and engage more deeply with UGA. The group was formally launched at an on-campus event in March 2023, and within months, Georgia Women Give funds received more than 75 commitments of $25,000 or more.

Holmes-Hunter Renovation: The comprehensive renovation of the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building got underway after the historic building closed in January. The project, which has its capital costs covered by a match of state funding and a $15 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, offers naming opportunities for donors to create endowments that will support students and the UGA offices housed in the building.

fascade of Holmes-Hunter Academic Building

Honoring a Legacy

Victor K. Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87), retired UGA vice president of student affairs, became the third recipient of the UGA Foundation Board of Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award last October. In honor of Wilson’s 40 years of service to UGA as a student leader, alumnus, mentor, teacher, senior administrator, and national leader in student affairs, the Foundation allocated $100,000 in surplus funds to create a scholarship named for Wilson that will fund meal plans for students with financial need.

fascade of Holmes-Hunter Academic Building

Incoming Chair

The chair of the University of Georgia Foundation is Allison Ausband (ABJ ’83), who will serve for two years starting July 1, 2023. In 1985, Ausband began what is now a nearly 40-year career with Delta Air Lines, starting as a flight attendant. She served in leadership roles for numerous departments and in 2021, became Delta’s executive vice president and chief customer experience officer.

Foundation Support

line graph of foundation support
*Each year, the UGA Foundation allocates funds, a combination of outright gifts and also endowment returns, to support the University of Georgia and its mission.

Long-Term Investment Return

bar graph of long-term investment return
*The Foundation's fiscal year ended June 30. Investment returns are preliminary, with some investment managers not yet reporting as of the date of publication.

Investing in the Future of Georgia

An endowment is an opportunity for a donor to create a permanent legacy at the University of Georgia and allow future generations to benefit from today’s generosity. When donors establish an endowment, we invest the gift with two goals in mind: to provide spendable income for the donor’s specified purpose and to grow the principal faster than inflation. Any investment return that exceeds allowed spending is channeled back into the fund to increase growth.

Generosity of the Bulldog Nation: This year’s Dawg Day of Giving broke UGA’s single-day giving record with 11,091 gifts, resulting in $5.6 million spread across all UGA schools and colleges. The Class of 2023 also made history when 3,377 graduates contributed over $112,000 to UGA through Senior Signature, the University’s class gift program founded in 1991.

Michael Patrick

BBA ’03, Marketing,

Director of Menu & Packaging Strategy, Chick-fil-A

UGA Foundation Trustee Michael Patrick isn’t afraid to take the first step. As a freshman, he walked into UGA’s basketball offices and asked for a spot on the team. He got it, eventually turning that opportunity into a starting position and a scholarship.

The latest “first” for Michael may yield even more remarkable results. He and his wife, Brittany Kaufman (DVM ’10), became the first individuals to donate to the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building Renovation Project, which will significantly enhance and restore the historic building named for UGA’s first African American students, Hamilton Holmes (BS ’63) and Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63). In addition, Michael’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (which was also Hamilton Holmes’ fraternity), is raising $250,000 for the renovation project.

We saw this as an opportunity to honor two legendary individuals and invest in continued transformation at UGA. We’re thrilled to watch this project take shape. The building will set an inspiring tone for future generations of students as they pass through the Arch.