UVA Darden School of Business Campaign Impact Soars Past $587 Million in Penultimate Year

Propelled by $81.2 million in gifts from alumni and friends, the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation ended the fiscal year on 30 June 2024, on a high note. The penultimate year of the Powered by Purpose campaign strengthened Darden’s financial foundation, empowering students and faculty through scholarships, new facilities and innovative programs.

“Thank you to our loyal and steadfast alumni and friends for continuing to lead Darden to new heights,” said Dean Scott Beardsley. “As we enter this crucial last year of our campaign, your support is more important than ever.”

Established in 1952, the Darden School Foundation advances the School’s academic mission by operating top-ranked Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs, managing endowment funds and ownership of The Forum Hotel. By promoting philanthropic support, the Foundation ensures that Darden remains a leader in business education.

“We are deeply grateful to the Foundation Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Trustees for their unwavering leadership and support,” said Foundation President Rob Weiler. “Their guidance has been essential this past year and will be vital as we move into the final stretch of our campaign.”

Key Highlights:

Campaign Hits Stride in Final Stretch:

• Over Half a Billion Dollars in Impact: The Powered by Purpose campaign reached $483.6 million. With matching gifts and gifts held outside the foundation, the total impact is $587.6 million.
• Largest Gift Ever: David (MBA ’78) and Kathy LaCross added to their prior gift to commit over $100 million in total philanthropy, supporting research and instruction in artificial intelligence, residential housing on Darden Grounds, and the LaCross Botanical Gardens. This gift is among the top 10 largest to any business school.
• Pioneering Professorship: Steve (MBA ’63) and Phyllis Bachand established the University Professorship in Business Ethics, with Ed Freeman as the inaugural chairholder.
• 45 Major Gifts: Among the 45 gifts of $100,000 or more, 12 were from first-time major donors, focusing on alumni from the 1990s and 2000s.
• Expansion of Principal Donor Society: Darden inducted six new members and celebrated the elevation of four existing members to higher levels of recognition.
• Exceptional Alumni Participation: 70 percent of alumni have given to the campaign.

Transformative Initiatives:

• Faculty Forward Launch: Focused on hiring, retaining and developing star professors, preserving transformational learning and growing Darden’s thought leadership infrastructure, the foundation officially launched Faculty Forward, Milestone II of the Powered by Purpose campaign, last fall.
• Master Plan Projects: The UVA Board of Visitors approved the residential housing project and the planning/design for the Faculty Office Building, Faculty Research Building and Batten Global Innovation Nexus were added to the UVA Major Capital Plan. These building projects include recognition opportunities for donors who want to name spaces in honor of faculty members by supporting the Faculty Excellence Fund.
• Tahija Arboretum & LaCross Botanical Gardens: Darden has dedicated significant green spaces to enhance the Grounds. Over 200 naming opportunities are still available between the Forum Hotel, arboretum and botanical gardens including the conference center, classrooms, gardens and trees.

Record-Breaking Reunions:

• Over 900 Alumni Attendees: Reunion attendance hit a new high, with several classes setting records for participation and giving.
• Strong Reunion Giving: $8.1 million in gifts and commitments, with $3.5 to the Darden Annual Fund.
• Abbott Award Winner: Martina Hund-Mejean (MBA ’88) was honored with the Charles C. Abbott Award, the highest accolade bestowed upon a Darden graduate.
• Honoring a Legend: Darden alumni celebrated the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus C. Ray Smith (MBA ’58).

Day for Darden Success:

• 1,465 Donors, $1 Million Raised: Day for Darden 2024 saw strong support, with 88 percent of all classes participating.

Annual Fund and Scholarships:

• $5.7 Million to Annual Fund: Gifts to the Darden Annual Fund are immediately used to fund scholarships, support Darden’s world-class faculty and fuel innovative programs.
• Women’s Scholarship Challenge Met: A $5 million goal was met, boosting support for top female students.
• Total Scholarships Raised: More than $140 million, including matching funds, was raised for scholarships during Milestone I of the campaign. Malcolm Stewart (MBA ’24) and Carson Gleberman (MBA ’86) shared their inspiring journeys at a celebration. Other celebrations included those for the Frank E. Genovese Second Year Fellowship and Lemuel E. Lewis Bicentennial Award for Global Leadership.
• Strong Alumni Participation: 30 percent of alumni contributed to Darden this past year.

Student Engagement:

• Second Year Class Gift Campaign: Achieved participation rates of 91 percent for Full-Time MBA and 86 percent for Executive MBA, raising over $100,000.

• Club Sponsorships: The annual fund supports the Darden Student Association and other student groups, offsetting rising expenses.

Community Engagement:

• 3,200 Event Registrants: More than 85 chapter, affinity and international events were held across the US and in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, Mexico, Brazil and more.
• 30 Professors On The Road: Faculty members, including then-Interim Dean Jeanne Liedtka, presented at various international engagement events on the power and impact of their world-changing ideas.
• Service Award Honoree: Jack Young (MBA ’70) was honored with the Harry N. Lewis Distinguished Service Award.
• Honoring Top Donors: 13 donors and their families were recognized with named spaces including the LaCross Botanical Garden, Tahija Arboretum, Class of 1987 Amphitheater & Outdoor Classroom,  Duffy Leahy Japanese Garden, Carl Mason Franklin Footbridge,  Faculty Forest, and several benches and trees.
• International Engagement: New alumni chapter leadership was added in India and Mexico, reflecting the international growth of Darden alumni.

New Leadership:

• Foundation Board Chair: Frank M. Sands (MBA ’94) began tenure as chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees.
• Campaign Chair: Adair B. Newhall (MBA ’09) assumed the chair of Faculty Forward.
• Foundation President: A UVA undergraduate and seasoned business school leader, Rob Weiler brings extensive experience to the Darden School Foundation.

Looking Ahead:

As Darden continues with Faculty Forward and has an aspirational aim for $600 million in campaign giving by 30 June 2025, we need your help to reach our goal. Your support will ensure that Darden continues to foster a vibrant, engaged community and maintains its leadership in business education. Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to success.

Join us in this final year of the Powered by Purpose campaign and make your mark on Darden’s future. Together, we can shape the next generation of ethical leaders and innovators. For more information, contact Senior Associate Vice President of Advancement Samantha Hartog at HartogS@darden.virginia.edu or +1-434-981-4025.