The University of California, Davis has announced that it received gifts, pledges, and grants totaling $108.1 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30, marking the third consecutive year that philanthropic support for UC Davis has surpassed $100 million.

The recession notwithstanding, the university received 49,896 gifts in the most recent fiscal year, a year-over-year increase of 1 percent. But while the total dollar amount of those gifts was up 7 percent over 2006-07, it represents a steep drop from 2007-08, when the school received more than $200 million, due in large part to a $100 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to establish a nursing school. During the most recent fiscal year, sixteen donors made gifts of at least $1 million, while UC Davis students made a substantial contribution through a senior-class gift.

All ten of UC Davis's colleges and professional schools received support, with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences receiving the most ($39.2 million), followed by the UC Davis Health System ($20.4 million) and the School of Veterinary Medicine ($10.6 million). Other large gifts received during the year included a $16 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight childhood malnutrition; a collection of valuable prints from painter Wayne Thiebaud and his wife, Betty Jean; and nearly $1.3 million from Autism Speaks for research.

"Philanthropy has been vital to UC Davis throughout its first one hundred years, and it will continue to be essential to sustaining and transforming the university into its second century of progress and service," said Linda Katehi, who officially became chancellor today. "It's already clear to me that UC Davis's donors are extraordinarily passionate and committed supporters of this great university. I look forward to meeting with and hearing from so many more of them."