UCF reported a record $126.1 million in philanthropic commitments for the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking the third consecutive year it has exceeded its $100 million strategic goal. The total was achieved through more than 240,000 individual gifts from alumni, students, faculty, businesses, foundations, and community partners.
The university highlighted the contributions of its Pegasus Partners, a group that now includes Addition Financial, AdventHealth, Lockheed Martin, Nemours Children’s Health, Orlando Health, and Siemens Energy. These organizations collaborate with UCF on research initiatives and workforce development programs.
UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright stated: “We are deeply grateful to all of our donors, alumni, and friends whose support fuels our momentum. UCF was built by people who believed in hard work, bold ideas and the power of opportunity to change lives. From our Pegasus Partners to the numerous other committed individuals and organizations, every gift strengthens that legacy and propels all we are building for the future.”
Over the past year, donors contributed more than $43.5 million in scholarships and resources for students, faculty, facilities, and programs. According to the university, this support has helped students remain enrolled and participate in internships or research projects critical to their career preparation.
Alumni engagement reached new levels as more than 107,000 alumni reconnected with UCF through volunteering, events, mentoring students, or supporting university initiatives—a 24% increase from the previous year.
Sruthy Babu ’18 commented on the impact of scholarships for first-generation students: “One of the opportunities with UCF’s First-Generation Student Scholarship is attending workshops specifically designed for students like us. It’s like someone with experience, in place of our parents, guiding us.”
During UCF Day of Giving, thousands of donors contributed over $14.8 million in a single day from across all 50 states and internationally.
Industry partnerships through the Pegasus Partnership program expanded this year to include six major companies working with UCF on research and workforce initiatives. The university also held more than 40 events to thank supporters and invited hundreds of community members to campus to observe how their contributions were being used.
The university’s endowment grew by $40.7 million—its largest annual increase—which will provide long-term support for scholarships and research.
“These extraordinary accomplishments are a direct result of the collective spirit and commitment of our community,” said Rodney Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the UCF Foundation Inc. “Whether you are an alum, a student, a business leader or simply someone who believes in the catalytic power of higher education, your support is fueling a future where UCF’s impact will be felt more broadly than ever before.”
“Last fiscal year was not just a successful year — it was a transformative one,” Grabowski said. “We are building something extraordinary together, and the best is yet to come.”
