University of Nebraska surpasses $500 million in private support The University of Nebraska Foundation announced on Friday the record private support for the University of Nebraska. By 10/11 NOW Published : Aug. 21, 2026 at 10:59 PM CDT Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The University of Nebraska Foundation announced on Friday the record private support for the University of Nebraska, with $532.8 million in new funds committed in the fiscal year. During the fiscal year, 58,433 donors made a gift to support the University of Nebraska. This is the first time annual fundraising has exceeded $500 million. “Surpassing the $500 million fundraising mark is a historic show of support for the University of Nebraska by our community,” University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., said. “This milestone reflects the increasing confidence of 58,433 alumni and friends who believe in the power of Nebraska’s only public university system to educate students, drive discovery and serve the state. Yet, we remain dependent on our critical partnership with the State of Nebraska, which is our largest funding source.” Gifts came from alumni, friends of the university, foundations and corporations and were made to support all campuses. Around 99% of all gifts received were restricted to a specific university purpose. To help make a University of Nebraska education accessible and affordable for all students, 116 endowed student support funds were created across the NU system during the fiscal year. In addition, 28 endowed faculty support funds were established to recruit and retain excellent faculty and researchers. Endowed funds provide a perpetual source of support for the university because the principal is invested, with annual earnings used to fund the designated purpose. The FY26 fundraising results helped fuel the success of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a multiyear campaign which seeks to engage 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support students, faculty, academic programs and research. The campaign exceeded both the donor and fundraising goals. “The Only in Nebraska campaign has inspired record private support for the University of Nebraska,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “We’re grateful for the generosity of donors and look forward to building on this momentum through the final year of the campaign. While philanthropy cannot replace state or federal funding, it is essential to advancing priorities that grow Nebraska’s workforce and fuel progress across our state and beyond.” Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.1011now.com