Case Study: University of Georgia achieves record-breaking fundraising—surpasses $1.2B Commit to Georgia goal ahead of schedule with Blackbaud

University of Georgia achieves recordbreaking fundraising growth and exceeds its Commit to Georgia $1.2B campaign goal ahead of schedule

The University of Georgia, a 250‑year land‑ and sea‑grant institution, launched the Commit to Georgia campaign in November 2016 with a $1.2 billion goal to expand learning space, faculty support, and need‑based aid. The challenge was to mobilize broad donor engagement—and sustain momentum through the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic—to remove financial barriers for students and accelerate research, innovation and inclusion across campus.

UGA surpassed the $1.2 billion goal 16 months early, ultimately raising $1.45 billion from more than 175,000 donors in all 50 states and 62 countries. Gifts funded over 900,000 sq ft of new space, 94 endowed faculty positions, the donor‑supported Innovation Hub, the John H. “Johnny” Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s research, and the expansion of the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program to 600+ endowed, need‑based scholarships with over $90 million committed to aid, alongside strengthened diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

University of Georgia

Greg Harmelink

Senior Director of Advancement Services