University of Hawaiʻi Foundation sets new fundraising record in fiscal year 2025

A record $171.7 million raised in fiscal year 2025 will fuel student success, faculty excellence and groundbreaking research acrossUniversity of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses.

The achievement — made possible through the generous giving of 17,901 donors — marks the fifth consecutive year University of Hawaiʻi Foundation surpassed $100 million in annual giving.

“These gifts represent hope, opportunity and the strength of community,” said University of Hawaiʻi Vice President of Advancement and University of Hawaiʻi Foundation Chief Executive Officer Tim Dolan in the record fundraising announcement. “By supporting our mission, donors are shaping Hawai‘i’s future, investing in research that really matters to our community, training the leaders and entrepreneurs our state needs and helping build our diverse workforce.”

Among this year’s many impactful gifts:

• An additional $1 million gift from the Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust to support nursing students at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, building on a $2 million gift in 2024.
• A $1 million endowment from alumni John D’Amato and Kristina Inn honoring University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa anthropology professors Jacob “Jack” Bilmes and Alice Dewey.

Breaking down the amount raised into some broader areas, the foundation raised totals of:

• $27.7 million for student scholarships.
• $40.1 million for faculty and academic support and research.
• More than $800,000 during University of Hawaiʻi’s Giving Day — 36% higher than the previous year.

Gifts also included heartfelt contributions in honor of loved ones and commitments from alumni and community members for scholarships, research, facilities and student programs.

“These results reflect the deep trust our donors place in [University of Hawaiʻi] to improve the quality of life in Hawai‘i through higher education — both today and for generations to come,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel in the fundraising annoucement.

The fundraising milestone comes at a pivotal time as University of Hawaiʻi is in the public phase of For UH • For Hawaiʻi, a $1 billion effort focused on transforming lives and ensuring current and future students, faculty and researchers have the resources they need to thrive.

It’s the most ambitious fundraising campaign in state history.

“Every gift has an impact, whether it helps a student thrive, strengthens our faculty or fuels world-class research that tackles Hawai‘i’s and the world’s most pressing challenges,” Hensel said.