Irvine, Calif., Jan. 27, 2025 — The University of California, Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign has surpassed its $2 billion fundraising goal ahead of schedule, becoming the first philanthropic initiative in Orange County to achieve this milestone. It has also exceeded its alumni engagement target, fostering connections with more than 75,000 Anteaters.

With just over eight months remaining until the campaign officially concludes on Oct. 4, 2025, UC Irvine is focused on sustaining its momentum, thanks to the steadfast support of dedicated partners who have driven its success since publicly launching in October 2019.

Building on a record-breaking fundraising year, UC Irvine reached this milestone with a gift from Alec Glasser, founder and CEO of The Drake Gives. His donation established the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change within the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, exemplifying the campaign’s commitment to fostering innovation and transformation.

“The Brilliant Future campaign embodies UC Irvine’s vision for excellence and global impact,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and the outstanding leadership of campaign chairs Jimmy and Sheila Peterson, we are setting new standards in education, research and healthcare. Their commitment ensures that UC Irvine remains a beacon of opportunity and innovation for generations to come.”

Despite its remarkable success, the Brilliant Future campaign is far from over. Poised to exceed expectations, it continues to amplify its influence across UC Irvine’s four campaign pillars: advancing the American dream, transforming healthcare and wellness, accelerating world-changing research, and exploring the human experience.

A campaign of unparalleled impact

The Brilliant Future campaign has already transformed the university and the communities it serves via:

• $2 billion raised, with 70 percent of the gifts under $100, demonstrating the power of collective generosity.
• 113,000+ donors, 80 percent contributing for the first time.
• 75,000+ alumni engaged, fostering a vibrant network of Anteaters worldwide.
• $180 million+ dedicated to student support, creating over 250 new scholarship, fellowship and student award funds.
• $1.4 billion+ raised for research and departmental support, fueling breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, humanities and more.
• Five state-of-the-art buildings funded, with more innovative spaces underway.
• 111 percent growth in alumni chapters/networks across the world.

The campaign’s largest gift to date – $200 million from Susan and Henry Samueli – established the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, the nation’s first university-based health sciences enterprise to integrate holistic and integrative approaches in research, teaching and patient care.

A call to action: Continuing the journey

While UC Irvine celebrates the campaign’s current success, leaders emphasize that the journey continues. Key priorities moving forward include:

• Supporting students: Increasing scholarships and fellowships to ensure access and success for all.
• Advancing healthcare innovation: Completing the UCI Health – Irvine medical campus, which includes a state-of-the-art, 144-bed hospital and emergency department set to open in late 2025. The campus will also feature leading-edge facilities like the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center & Ambulatory Care and the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care – redefining healthcare for coastal and south Orange County.
• Driving innovation for global solutions: Enhancing capacity to lead advancements in sustainability, artificial intelligence, health equity and other pressing priorities.

“This campaign is about more than reaching a financial target,” said Brian Hervey, vice chancellor for university advancement and alumni relations and president of the UC Irvine Foundation. “It’s about creating opportunities, solving global challenges and leaving an indelible mark on society. With our philanthropic partners, we’re committed to making a positive difference in the world.”

UC Irvine will continue to drive momentum through initiatives like its annual Giving Day on April 22, which will bolster support for key programs across the university. In the final months of the Brilliant Future campaign, UC Irvine invites alumni, friends and supporters to seize the unique opportunity to be part of a historical moment and help shape a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

About UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UC Irvine. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UC Irvine seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research, and other high-priority areas. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus studio with a Comrex IP audio codec to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at https://news.uci.edu/media-resources.