CORRECTION: UH shatters fundraising record with $171M for students, faculty and research

(A correction has been made to this release, which was distributed earlier today)

Giving Day raised more than $800,000 from more than 1,800 gifts.

UH students and researchers working side by side to drive innovation and discovery.

Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and CEO of the UH Foundation

CORRECTED RELEASE (Media, please use this version.)

A record $171.7 million in philanthropic support raised in fiscal year 2025 will fuel student success, faculty excellence and groundbreaking research across the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses. The achievement—powered by 17,901 donors—marks the fifth consecutive year the UH Foundation has surpassed $100 million in annual giving.

“These gifts represent hope, opportunity and the strength of community,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and CEO of the UH Foundation. “By supporting our mission, donors are shaping Hawai‘i’s future, investing in research that really matters to our community, training the leaders and entrepreneurs our state needs, and helping build our diverse workforce. We are deeply thankful.”

The fundraising milestone comes at a pivotal time as UH is in the public phase of For UH • For Hawaiʻi, the most ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign in state history. The $1 billion effort is focused on transforming lives and ensuring current and future students, faculty and researchers have the resources they need to thrive.

Among this year’s many impactful gifts:

• An additional $1 million gift from the Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust to support nursing students at UH Maui College’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, building on a $2 million gift in 2024.
   
• A $1 million endowment from alumni John D’Amato and Kristina Inn honoring UH Mānoa anthropology professors Jacob “Jack” Bilmes and Alice Dewey.
   

“These results reflect the deep trust our donors place in UH to improve the quality of life in Hawai‘i through higher education—both today and for generations to come,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “Every gift has an impact, whether it helps a student thrive, strengthens our faculty or fuels world-class research that tackles Hawai‘i’s and the world’s most pressing challenges.”

In total, the foundation raised $27.7 million for student scholarships, $40.1 million for faculty and academic support and research, and more than $800,000 during UH’s Giving Day—36% higher than the previous year. Gifts also included heartfelt contributions in honor of loved ones and commitments from alumni and community members for scholarships, research, facilities and student programs.

[Note: UH Foundation CEO Tim Dolan is available for interviews. Please contact Margot Schrire via email margot.schrire@uhfoundation.org or by calling (808) 956-0389]