Matching a banner year of on-field results, fundraising for the UGA Athletic Association reached record-setting levels during the 2017-18 fiscal year.
The Georgia Bulldog Club raised over $80.4 million in total donations last year. That figure includes $40.5 million in major gifts, which include outright gifts and pledges to capital projects and scholarship endowments. Another $39.9 million were raised through annual giving campaigns.
The $80.4 million this past year was 43.5 percent above the total raised in FY 2017 ($56 million) and 41 percent higher than the previous fundraising high mark of $56.9 million in the 2016 fiscal year.
”This has everything to do with the passion that our donors have for the Georgia Bulldogs and the commitment they have shown to give us every opportunity to compete at the highest level,” said Matt Borman, Executive Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Georgia Bulldog Club. ”Our focus now is to keep the momentum of this success going so that we can support UGA Athletics at the same rate that our football program is excelling.”
The majority of major gift funds raised in 2017-18 went towards the West End Zone project at Sanford Stadium. This multi-tiered construction project — taking nearly 17 months to complete at a cost of approximately $63 million — represents a major enhancement to the Bulldogs’ home football venue, for players and fans. The football program will now enjoy a brand-new, much larger game-day locker room and recruiting hospitality lounge, while fans will notice a greatly expanded entry plaza and video board, as well as enhanced concession and restroom facilities when the Bulldogs kick off the 2018 season Sept. 1 vs. Austin Peay.
”I am humbled by the unbelievable support that our fans and donors have shown our program,” said head football coach Kirby Smart. ”The commitment by our donors motivates our coaches and players every day to make Dawg Nation proud. Thank you to everyone that contributed. Go Dawgs!”
Athletically, Georgia enjoyed an outstanding year in 2017-18, with NCAA team championships in Women’s Indoor Track and Men’s Outdoor Track, runner-up finishes in Football and Women’s Outdoor Track, and Top-10 showings in five other sports. The Bulldogs placed eighth in the Learfield Director’s Cup — awarded annually to the nation’s best overall collegiate athletics program — the program’s best finish since 2005.