About the Foundation
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The University of Connecticut Foundation is a tax-exempt corporation that operates exclusively to promote the educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational objectives of the University of Connecticut. As the primary fundraising vehicle for the University, the Foundation’s mission is to solicit, receive and administer gifts and financial resources from private sources to support UConn’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and public service. Private gifts support students, faculty, research and programs at all of UConn’s schools and colleges in addition to its world-class research centers and model athletics program.
History
The Foundation was founded in 1964 at the behest of Homer Daniels Babbidge, Jr., who served as University president from 1962 to 1972.
“Babbidge saw the need to build new institutions that would enhance the university community and led the move for the establishment of the University of Connecticut Foundation. Babbidge instinctively recognized that public universities would always have great difficulty in attracting the kind of resources from the state that were required to achieve true distinction.” (Bruce M. Stave, Red Brick in the Land of Steady Habits: Creating the University of Connecticut, 1881-2006, Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2006), 112-113.
Fundraising Campaigns
On September 26, 2009, the University of Connecticut Foundation launched the public phase of Our University. Our Moment. The Campaign for UConn, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to raise $600 million in support of UConn's students, faculty and programs. For more information about the the campaign's goals and priorities, please visit the About the Campaign page.
During Campaign UConn (1998-2004), only the second capital campaign in UConn’s 128-year history, the Foundation raised $471 million, exceeding the original goal by a staggering $171 million. More than 115,000 individuals, corporations, charitable foundations and other organizations participated in the highly successful campaign. Since 2004, generous donors have contributed more than $260 million in new gifts and pledges.
Mission Statement
The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc.’s mission is to solicit, receive and administer gifts and financial resources from private sources for the benefit of all campuses and programs of the University of Connecticut. The Foundation operates exclusively to promote the educational, scientific, cultural and recreational objectives of the University. As the primary fundraising vehicle to solicit and administer private gifts and grants which will enhance the University’s mission, the Foundation supports UConn’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and public service.
Statement of Disclosure
The Foundation’s financial statements are audited annually by a national accounting firm, and University officials and state auditors receive copies of these audited statements. The Foundation publishes an annual report that summarizes annual results, although detailed information about specific gifts to the Foundation are not generally available.
More specific information about revenues, expenses and operating costs is available to the public through the Foundation’s annual tax return Form 990, which is available upon request. This provides details of fundraising, management and other revenues and expenses.
View the listing of state fundraising notices applicable to the Foundation’s philanthropic work across the nation in support of UConn.
View a four-page summary PDF publication that explains what the
UConn Foundation does, what it supports and how it contributes
to the success of the University of Connecticut
