UC Merced Celebrates Its Most Successful Fundraising Year

Fueled by a $38 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott - her second to UC Merced and the largest single philanthropic gift in the university's history - and the sustained generosity of the Bobcat community, 2025-26 was UC Merced's strongest fundraising year on record.

The campus raised more than $68 million during the fiscal year, pushing Boldly Forward: The Campaign for UC Merced to nearly $180 million. The milestone nearly doubled the prior fundraising record of $36 million, set in 2022-23.

Since the launch of Boldly Forward, 10,119 unique donors have made gifts in support of the initiative. The 2025-26 fiscal year alone accounted for more than a third of all funds raised since the campaign began in 2020.

"This extraordinary year of philanthropy reflects the confidence our donors have in UC Merced and in the transformative impact of our mission," Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said. "Their generosity is expanding opportunity for our students, accelerating groundbreaking research and strengthening our ability to serve the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. Together, we are building a university whose greatest contributions are still ahead."

Empowering Student Success

Among the priorities of Boldly Forward are student success, spanning scholarships, mentorship and resources that support a student body where many are the first in their families to attend college. Philanthropy played a vital role in advancing this pillar over the past year, with gifts establishing scholarship funds and supporting facilities that benefit student-athletes. These contributions are helping expand access to a UC Merced education for students who might otherwise be unable to pursue their academic goals.

Leading Through Discovery

Boldly Forward's research pillar invests in faculty, endowed chairs and cutting-edge research to help UC Merced address critical, global and regional challenges. This past year, philanthropic support strengthened that mission across multiple fronts, from funding engineering research with direct benefits for growers and farmers across the Central Valley to bolstering postdoctoral fellowships that will help the university attract and retain outstanding early-career scientists across the natural sciences.

Cultivating Healthy Societies

UC Merced's comprehensive campaign also focuses on advancing public health, medical education and community well-being. Philanthropic support this year helped extend the university's reach in these areas, driving work that connects the region's clean energy transformation to tangible community benefits and advancing community-engaged research aimed at reducing health disparities across the San Joaquin Valley.

Looking Ahead

With four years remaining in the Boldly Forward campaign and nearly 90% of its $200 million goal secured, UC Merced enters the next phase of the campaign with strong momentum. The record-breaking year, driven by transformational philanthropy and broad-based community support, positions the campus to continue expanding access, research and opportunity for students across the Central Valley and beyond.

"Our donors made this the most successful fundraising year in UC Merced's history," Vice Chancellor Ed Klotzbier said. "This milestone reflects the remarkable generosity of our alumni, friends, foundations and philanthropic partners who believe deeply in UC Merced's promise. While we celebrate this historic achievement, we are equally energized by the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue the Boldly Forward campaign."