Donors helped CU Boulder achieve a record-breaking fundraising year through transformative gifts supporting student achievement, sustainability leadership, research excellence and community partnerships.  

These philanthropic investments ensure the university continues to support students, faculty and the broader community by aligning donor interests with institutional priorities. Many gifts are guided by gift agreements that ensure expenditures align with donor intentions and cannot be reallocated to cover other funding losses.  

During CU Boulder’s 2025 fiscal year (July 2024–June 2025), 44,055 donors contributed a total of $228.9 million, making it the university’s most successful fundraising year to date. Generosity from alumni, community members, staff, faculty and student donors reflects the power of private philanthropy in fueling CU Boulder’s mission to transform lives as Colorado’s leading public research university.  

From life-changing scholarships to groundbreaking sustainability initiatives and widespread community support, every gift, large or small, demonstrates a shared commitment to the university’s vision and drives momentum as CU Boulder heads into 2026—its 150th year celebration. 

Empowering student success   

Last fall, political science alum Michael Klump made a landmark $15 million gift motivated by his experience at CU Boulder. His investment is transforming the Real Estate Center and strengthening the campus’s student wellness services to prepare graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving world.   

“I owe a lot of my success to attending the University of Colorado, where I had the privilege of meeting inspiring individuals and forming lifelong connections across the country,” said Klump. “These experiences have deeply motivated me to give back and set an example. I hope my contribution to CU Boulder will inspire others to join in the spirit of generosity and make a meaningful impact.”     

Klump’s hope was realized earlier this year when a friend from college and fellow alum, John Cumming—who graduated with a degree in French from CU—contributed to the Leeds School of Business through the Cumming Foundation. The gift will amplify applied learning, immerse students in real-world business challenges alongside industry leaders, and, like the gift from Klump, enhance well-being initiatives for students.  

Student success and belonging are at the heart of CU Boulder’s mission—from health and wellness programs to scholarships and experiential learning. Philanthropic support eases financial barriers, bolsters mental health resources and expands programs that prepare students for success in college and beyond.   

Leading in sustainability

Earlier this year, Spike Buckley, a CU Boulder alum who studied economics, made a $10 million gift to establish the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education. The center will support campuswide initiatives that build upon the over 400 sustainability-related courses, world-class research institutes and a refreshed Climate Action Plan, guiding new course development, faculty fellowships, curriculum ambassadors, professional development and recognition for outstanding sustainability educators.   

CU Boulder’s long-standing reputation for advancing sustainability inspired Buckley’s philanthropic support. “It is my fervent hope that CU students, faculty and alumni will ultimately see the Center for Sustainability Education as their vehicle to make the world a better place for future generations,” he said.   

Advancing research excellence  

For nearly 25 years, faculty and students have conducted research at the Spruce Gulch Wildlife and Research Reserve—a living laboratory for ecological discovery. In June, Linda Holubar Sanabria, an arts and sciences alum, donated the 476-acre Boulder County reserve and created an endowment to support ecological research and academic work at the site. The $10.4 million gift ensures future generations of university researchers and students can continue and expand the research legacy at Spruce Gulch.  

As one of the nation’s top public research universities, CU Boulder is a hub of discovery and innovation. With a dozen research institutes and over 75 interdisciplinary centers, the university’s research mission drives hands-on learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration and global impact.   

A year of impact and a future of possibility

This year’s philanthropic success and impact are the result of broad donor support. The 2025 Buffs All In campaign marked the university’s most successful giving day on record. In just 24 hours, CU Boulder raised over $1 million from 2,499 donors with an average gift of $433—thanks to the collective effort of generous alumni, students, faculty and staff uniting around initiatives that benefit student success, research and the campus community.  

Private philanthropy touches all aspects of the university, propelling its mission forward and preparing students to become tomorrow’s leaders. This positions CU Boulder to advance research, academic excellence, sustainability and student success to solve humanity’s greatest challenges.   

Join fellow Buffs supporting higher education. Explore the many ways you can make a difference through CU Boulder.