Day for Darden 2024: Fueling the Future with Record Support

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business marked a significant milestone during Day for Darden 2024, rallying the community to raise $1.1 million. The event on 10 April attracted 1,465 donors.

The annual fundraiser saw a 17.7 percent increase in donations and a 22.6 percent rise in donor participation compared to the previous year’s event.

The Darden Annual Fund, supported by the Day for Darden, plays a crucial role in the School’s wider Powered by Purpose campaign. Last year, this campaign celebrated reaching its initial $400 million goal two years early and is now focusing on Faculty Forward, a second milestone to boost faculty development and research.

Alumni contributed 72 percent of the total donations to Day for Darden 2024. Faculty, staff, students, parents and friends also significantly supported the effort. A notable aspect of the event was the competition among alumni classes, with the Class of 2011 having the most donors (99) and the Class of 1984 raising the most money ($145,125).

Brad Neathery, senior director of advancement and leader of the annual fund, reflected on the event’s outcome, stating, “This tremendous investment in the Darden Annual Fund will be immediately put to work, funding scholarships, supporting our world-class faculty and fueling innovative programs. Thank you to our donors for being integral to Darden’s success and future growth.”