Campaign Timeline

With goals to raise $2 billion and to meaningfully engage at least 75,000 alumni, Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UC Irvine has made a profound impact on the campus, the UCI Health enterprise, alumni and the broader community. 

This timeline highlights key campaign milestones. Thank you for your help in creating a brilliant future.

2015

 

Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UC Irvine officially begins with a silent phase and a goal to raise $2 billion, making it the most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s history.

2016

2017

 

Julie Hill becomes chair of the UCI Foundation.

UCI Giving Day

 

UC Irvine’s first-ever Giving Day, a 24-hour online fundraising campaign, exceeds the goal of $1 million, raising $1.4 million to support students, research and innovative programs.

Susan and Henry Samueli

 

A transformative $30 million gift from the Samueli Foundation helps fund a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary science building for the engineering, computing and physical sciences.

Anti-Cancer Challenge

 

The UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge is established. The Anti-Cancer Challenge is a community movement to raise awareness and funds for critical cancer research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

College of Health Sciences

 

UC Irvine receives a $200 million gift from Susan and Henry Samueli to name the College of Health Sciences and launch a major
integrative health initiative.

 

An exquisite, long-hidden art collection comes to UC Irvine from the trust of Gerald Buck.

Anteater family

 

The Parent Executive Board forms to provide and facilitate leadership-level philanthropic support and resources for the university, and promote activities that enrich the student experience.

2018

Anteater Family at Homecoming

 

The Parent Executive Board gives the first Anteater Grant.

2019

Anteater Network

The Anteater Network, a flash-mentoring portal for students and alumni, launches. They will network with the leaders of today and mentor the leaders of tomorrow.

campaign launch

 

Brilliant Future: The Campaign for UC Irvine publicly launches as the largest philanthropic campaign and alumni engagement effort in Orange County history.

2020

Student Commencement

 

UC Irvine's first campuswide undergraduate scholarship match launches in February 2020, providing donors with the ability to double their impact and support student success.

 

UC Irvine starts construction on the Samueli College of Health Sciences complex that promises to be a national showcase for integrative health patient care, training and research.

Graduate Student Commencement

 

The UC Irvine Graduate Division Matching Gift Program launches in October 2020 which increases donor investment in new endowments for Ph.D. fellowships.

 

The Brilliant Future fundraising campaign surpasses $1 billion in gifts, pushing UC Irvine across the halfway mark in its $2 billion philanthropic effort.

2021

 

Chao family gifts to UCI Health for cancer care top $50 million.

Samuelis-topping-out-event

 

UC Irvine hosts topping-out ceremony for the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art nine-acre campus that will be a catalyst for care.

 

Alumni couple Carol and Eugene Choi receive UC Irvine's Extraordinarious award at the 50th Lauds & Laurels event.

 

Falling Leaves Foundation's $30 million lead gift will fund an innovative UC Irvine medical research building.

 

UC Irvine breaks ground on new UCI Health – Irvine medical complex, which will include a 144-bed acute care hospital with an emergency room.

 

The UC Irvine Institute and Museum of California Art receives a naming gift from Jack and Shanaz Langson.

2022

UCI Alumni Cheering

 

The Brilliant Future campaign reaches 50,000 engaged alumni.

 

Audrey Steele Burnand estate gifts $57.75 million to UC Irvine to fund the creation of a new campuswide center that will pursue research into the causes and treatment of depression.

 

Joe C. Wen and family donate $20 million to support the new
UCI Health Center for Advanced Care.

Anteater graduate zotting

 

UC Irvine closes its second-highest fundraising year with over $223 million, and the Brilliant Future campaign tops $1.3 billion with
more than 86,000 supporters.

2023

Paul and Jo Butterworth

 

UC Irvine alumni Paul Butterworth '81 and Jo Butterworth '75 pledge $35.5 million to the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences to support programs fostering ICS student success and achievement.

Bernadette Boden-Albala with Irvine Health Foundation Board Chair and President

 

Irvine Health Foundation's $14 million grant to UC Irvine will establish 7 endowed chairs in public health.

 

Gary Singer ’74 becomes the first alumnus chair of the
UC Irvine Foundation.

Samueli School of Engineering

 

Susan and Henry Samueli give $50 million to UC Irvine’s engineering school, launching Engineering+ research institutes on
health, society and the environment
.

 

The Brilliant Future campaign surpasses 100,000 donors.

2024

 

The Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care building opened its doors, bringing excellent primary and specialty care to adults and children.

UC Irvine received a $50 million gift from biotech scientist and entrepreneur Charlie Dunlop to support and advance the School of Biological Sciences.
UCI Health Irvine Chao Building Entry

 

The UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center opened its second clinical hub, marking a significant milestone in cancer care for Orange County.

Wen School of Population and Public Health

 

UC Irvine received a $50 million gift from Southern California businessman Joe C. Wen and his family to support the newly created School of Population & Public Health and the growth of cardiovascular research and care.

 

UC Irvine closed its most successful fundraising year on record, raising $343 million in the 2024 fiscal year as part of its Brilliant Future philanthropic campaign.