The University of Idaho broke records in fundraising this year, raising $67.6 million in Fiscal Year 2025. This is the most in a single year in UI history and $15 million more than Fiscal Year 2024. 2025 was the fifth consecutive year the university raised more than $50 million.
The April 1-2, 2025, Vandal Giving Day pushed the “Brave. Bold. Unstoppable.” philanthropic campaign past its original $500 million goal, making it the largest nonprofit fundraising campaign in Idaho history. The campaign, which began in 2015, has raised $514.2 million from direct donations, gifts-in-kind, estate bequests, donations of stocks and other contributions. The campaign will officially end Dec. 31, 2025.
UI President Scott Green said that six years ago, many had thought the university’s new goal was far out of reach. “Our Vandal Family responded, reaching the goal eight months early, and they continue to provide record support as we approach the end of the campaign this December,” he said in a UI press release.
“We are grateful for every donor because, together, they generate enormous positive impact and contribute to a thriving, unstoppable future,” Green said in the press release. The success of the decade-long campaign has resulted in “a stronger institution that continues providing a nation-leading, quality education at a great value to our students, world-class research and the ability to strategically support Idaho industries,” he said.
The totals for Fiscal Year 2025, which ran from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, included $19.3 million for student scholarships, $38.5 million for research and academic programs, $7.5 million in faculty support and $2.3 million for facilities, labs and operations.
Also included in the 2025 total was a gift from the J.R. Simplot Family Foundation that established UI’s first endowed deanship. Since November of 2024, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences deanship endowment has provided annual financial support for the dean’s projects.
For more information, visit uidaho.edu/foundation or uidaho.edu/giving.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].