July 23, 2024

The University of South Florida set new fundraising records for the third straight year, receiving over $168 million in philanthropic support from more than 54,000 donors in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, which both represent all-time highs for USF. Total donors to the university increased 44% over last year.

“The University of South Florida is an excellent investment in the future of the Tampa Bay region, our state and the many lives we impact through world-class education and research,” USF President Rhea Law said. “At USF, we say, ‘You have to be bold to be at the top.’ Our alumni and friends are both bold and visionary, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.”

Law cited USF’s invitation to join the Association of American Universities last year as a boost to the university’s fundraising efforts. Fiscal year 2024 marked USF’s first as a member of the prestigious organization, composed of the top 3% of research institutions in the U.S. and Canada. 

This year saw close to 11,000 new donors to USF and was the third consecutive year that philanthropy exceeded $150 million. 

“USF continues to experience an amazing upward trajectory, and it is fantastic to see our community celebrate that. We benefit from an exceptionally supportive and growing family of alumni and friends, and we are truly thankful for each one,” USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman said.

 “Their gifts make a difference every day on all three USF campuses, from supporting students and facilitating life-changing research, to engineering solutions to the world’s most troubling issues and empowering health-care heroes to make life better in Tampa Bay and beyond.”

In addition to a historic gift from Tampa General Hospital, which named USF’s athletic district and its new Center for Athletic Excellence, the impact of philanthropic giving can be seen in many individual stories from the past year: 

• USF Federal Credit Union’s $6 million contribution to the new on-campus stadium will name the walkway by which student-athletes and fans will make their grand entrance: USF Federal Credit Union Champions Way. 
• Alumna Honey Rand’s $3 million gift to the College of Arts and Sciences will bolster creative writing resources for students through an annual retreat, support for a student literary magazine and an endowed fellowship. 
• The late Tom Tiedemann’s $2.7 million gift will provide scholarships to students in the College of Engineering, USF Health College of Nursing and the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.
•  Johnnie Giffin’s $1 million legacy gift will support students, particularly single parents, through the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Fay S. Baynard Class of 1988 Memorial Scholarship. 
• A $1 million estate gift from longtime professor and Vice Provost Steven Tauber and his wife, Meghan, established the Steven and Meghan Tauber Endowed Scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In addition to receiving those generous individual gifts, the university also set records this year for its annual Giving Week celebration, a weeklong community fundraising initiative. An all-time high of 9,259 donors contributed — 1,408 for the first time (a 70% increase from 2023). The $7 million raised was also a new university record.

Rachel Bryan, who received two USF Alumni Association scholarships, says she knows firsthand how philanthropy changes lives. She recently graduated, earning numerous honors along the way, and now works full time at USF.

“None of my accomplishments would have been possible without USF and its supporters,” she said. “I have directly benefited from their philanthropy, and I have seen firsthand the impact it has on the school and our students. I am sincerely thankful and plan to give back whatever I can moving forward.”