By Celia Goodyear
Good things are coming to the University of South Florida, as it’s moving forward with several projects thanks to a record-breaking year of fundraising.
For the 2021-2022 fiscal year, USF received $151.8 million in gifts from more than 34,000 donors. Because of those donations, the university is able to pay for a new indoor performance facility at the Tampa Bay campus, improve the school’s financial technology program, open the Bellini Center for Talent Development, and improve geriatric health programs. The donations also included more than $16 million in scholarships for students.
“As you’ll see, our incredibly generous USF donors help support students and faculty in every college and unit, and on all three of our campuses,” said Dan Caterinicchia, associate vice president of communications and marketing for the University of South Florida Advancement.
“Philanthropy also aids in the construction and enhancements of new and existing facilities, in addition to supporting research across USF and USF Health. Those who invest in USF are helping to improve lives in communities here in the Tampa Bay area, across the region and the state, and around the world.”
Of the more than 34,000 people who gave this past year, 6,300 of them were new donors. There were also several large gifts.
Carol and Frank Morsani gave $5 million for a new stadium on the Tampa Bay campus, and Penny and Jeff Vinik committed another $5 million to it.
The Morsanis also pledged another $7 million to endow the Morsani Scholars and provide scholarships to students. Connie and Tony Leung, founders of Sanwa Food Group, also gave $1 million to establish the Leung Family Scholarships.
“As you know, FY22 was a record-breaking year for the university thanks to our dedicated and growing USF family,” said Caterinicchia. “Every year is different, and despite uncertainty surrounding everything from inflation to stock market performance to the war, FY23 is off to a strong start.”
“We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our USF family,” added USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman. “The growing support from our Bulls community is changing the trajectory of our university, across all of our colleges and campuses. These investments in USF empower our faculty, physicians, scientists and staff members to better serve our immensely talented and diverse student body, increasing their success and advancing research endeavors that have a global reach.”
This past year was also the fourth year in a row that this top-ranked university has raised more than $100 million. Its previous fundraising record was $130.5 million set in 2015.
“It brings me great joy to see how philanthropic support has shaped my alma mater over the years,” said USF Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jose Valiente. “By giving to USF, donors are helping more and more students succeed, which ultimately strengthens Tampa Bay and the greater community. The continued generosity of USF donors will further unlock the limitless potential of this great university.”
“Our university has a history of setting ambitious goals and surpassing expectations,” said USF President Rhea Law. “I want to convey my deep gratitude to the thousands of USF donors who made this remarkable, record-setting achievement possible. It demonstrates how our community is investing in USF like never before, which will only help fuel our upward trajectory and lead to even greater impact on our students, faculty, region and beyond.”
