Spring 2003
Strength
in Numbers
page
1 | 2 |
3 | 4 |
5 | 6 Having
a large and successful research program benefits the university’s
overall enterprise. “Excellence attracts excellence on all
levels,” says Roberto Peccei, vice chancellor for research.
“Scholars want to be in the most stimulating and supportive
research environment. With ample resources coming in, you can build
top-notch facilities and recruit the best graduate students and
faculty. And because research grants are competitively awarded,
these scholars are receiving external acknowledgement of the quality
of their work, further enhancing the university’s reputation.”
 UCLA’S
SUCCESS IN FUND-RAISING reflects the public’s pride
in that reputation. Today, Campaign UCLA, the second comprehensive
fund-raising drive in the university’s history, approaches
its 2005 conclusion with $2.19 billion already raised toward a final
target of $2.4 billion. Only three other American universities,
all of them private, have raised more than $2 billion in a campaign.
LIKE
THE RESEARCH PROGRAM, PRIVATE GIVING ENJOYED IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
IN 2001-’02; THE TOTAL OF $509.2 MILLION IN GIFTS AND PLEDGES
SET CAMPUS AND UC RECORDS. Thus far in 2002-’03,
UCLA is on pace to achieve its year-end goal of $300 million. Raising
the bar for consistent philanthropic support is one of the primary
reasons for mounting campaigns, says Dennis Slon, associate vice
chancellor for development. “The campaign has been important
as an organizing principle,” Slon says, “enabling us
to make the case for private giving, and to elevate the annual results.
Campaign UCLA has effectively tripled the amount of money we raise
per year.”
These
numbers sound impressive, and indeed they are, but it’s important
to understand their actual impact on UCLA’s financial bottom
line. Private giving provides only about 4 percent of the university’s
$3-billion budget for core activities. Nevertheless, it can help
to make the difference between a good university and a great one.
“Many of the university’s accomplishments would not
have been possible without private funding,” Slon says.
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