News Story

Philanthropic activity at the University of Michigan was strong in fiscal year 2025, with donors giving $886 million, up 13% from the previous fiscal year. This generous support made FY ’25 the university’s second-highest fundraising year ever.

Giving was buoyed by U-M’s launch in October of the most ambitious campaign in public higher education, Look to Michigan, with a $7 billion goal and mission to take on society’s most pressing challenges. At the close of FY ’25, more than 230,000 donors have given $4.02 billion toward the campaign — 57% of that goal.

“This year has provided opportunities to reinforce our shared commitment to the university, the value of a Michigan education, and our vision for the future,” said Thomas Baird, vice president for development. “We are grateful to our generous supporters for their constant support and dedication to advancing Michigan and its profound impact on our state and our world.”

Notably, Michigan Medicine had a record-setting year, representing 40% of the total funds raised by the university in FY ’25. Gifts helped expand access to care, revolutionize pancreatic cancer research, bolster pediatric care and more.

A $40 million gift supported Michigan Medicine’s new Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Troy Center for Specialty Care, a first in Oakland County, and mental health research. A $50 million gift created the Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer and provides support for clinical care and translational research. C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital received a $10 million gift to bring additional beds to the Brandon Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Reese Partlow Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit.

Donors continue to enthusiastically and generously support student access, opportunity and success. Among the examples:

• $10 million to support the Blavin Scholars Program, which offers a community of support, including mentors and coaches, for undergraduates who have experienced foster care, kinship care or are without the support of parents or guardians.
• $1 million to establish the Holberg First-Generation Scholarship Fund in LSA, to provide need-based support for first-generation, low-income students from Chicago.
• $1 million to provide crucial support to students struggling with hunger and food insecurity through the Maize & Blue Cupboard from the Murray C. and Ina C. Pitt Charitable Trust. 

Additional FY ’25 highlights included U-M’s university-wide giving days, Giving Tuesday and Giving Blueday. 

On Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, more than 4,000 donors gave a total of $1.2 million to fully support nearly 50 projects across the university, from Adaptive Sports and Fitness to the Army ROTC Training Battalion and UM-Dearborn’s student food pantry to the Michigan Mock Trial club.

In March, the university’s 11th Giving Blueday united the university community to support students, research, the arts, sustainability programs, health and well-being initiatives, and other causes. More than 11,000 donors gave $4.7 million to U-M in 24 hours, supporting all three campuses, Athletics and Michigan Medicine.

“In this critical time for higher education, it is especially heartening to know we can rely on the extraordinary support from our community to help us address the most urgent needs of today and invest in a future where Michigan continues to lead and serve,” Baird said.