The University of Georgia Foundation supports the University of Georgia by receiving, investing, and stewarding private donor gifts that fund scholarships, faculty positions, research, facilities, and programs.
The Foundation manages over $2.7 billion in total assets, of which $2.2 billion is endowed. By monitoring economic conditions and forecasts and adjusting its investment strategy accordingly, the Foundation ensures these assets provide reliable support for students, faculty, staff, and the University’s mission.
The 47 members of the Foundation Board of Trustees lead and serve as ambassadors and advocates for the University. Trustees also direct support to top campus priorities using funds generated annually from Foundation assets. In FY 2026, over $38 million in scholarship support was allocated to more than 10,500 students.
For Georgia. For Generations.
The University of Georgia launched a new fundraising initiative last fall to strengthen scholarship support and expand access to a UGA education. With an initial goal of $75 million, the initiative focuses on attracting and supporting top students while reducing overall student loan debt, with an emphasis on four-year scholarships.
Donors have now contributed more than $53 million in support of these efforts. Gifts may be directed to need-based, merit-based, graduate and professional, and experiential learning scholarships across UGA’s schools and colleges.
The UGA Foundation committed more than $20 million in matching funds — the largest scholarship match in its history — amplifying the impact of every gift. Together, these investments reinforce UGA’s commitment to excellence, affordability, and student success as one of the nation’s leading public research universities.
Program Support On Campus
Donor support continues to strengthen student well-being and success across campus by addressing essential needs and removing barriers. Philanthropic investments this year helped expand resources for key programs such as the Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Meal Plan Scholarship initiative, which delivers meal plan scholarships to students facing food insecurity; the Student Veterans Resource Center, which provides support and community for student veterans and military-connected students; and the Sunshine Fund, which offers direct financial support for therapy, counseling, recovery, and other mental well-being needs.
In addition, donors supported emergency student assistance funds within each school and college, ensuring timely help is available when students need it most. Together, these initiatives reflect UGA’s commitment to meeting students where they are and providing the care and resources that empower them to learn, grow, and succeed.
Support for Graduate and Professional Students
Over the past three fiscal years, the University of Georgia has raised a cumulative total of more than $64 million to support graduate and professional students, including $21.3 million in FY 2026. This support strengthens one of the University’s highest academic priorities. Donor generosity, paired with $15.7 million in matching funds from the UGA Foundation, has expanded scholarships, fellowships, and research support across campus.
The total includes $58.8 million in endowed funds and $5.3 million in spendable support, advancing recruitment, retention, and student success. These investments are helping prepare the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and leaders to address society’s most complex challenges.
Parents Leadership Council
Since its founding in 2012, the University of Georgia Parents Leadership Council has contributed more than $10 million to enhance the undergraduate experience across campus. Through an annual commitment of at least $5,000 per family, this service-oriented group of highly engaged UGA parents has steadily expanded its impact — growing from $145,000 awarded to 22 programs in its first year to supporting 142 programs today.
For the 2026–27 academic year alone, the council raised a record $1.6 million to benefit initiatives such as the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Embark@UGA, and the Office for Student Success and Achievement Peer Education program. Together, these investments reflect a sustained commitment to student success, access to opportunity, and support at every stage of the undergraduate journey.
Foundation Support of UGA
Long-Term Investment Return
