The University of North Texas said Wednesday that donors made more than $69 million in philanthropic commitments during the last fiscal year, extending a run of fundraising growth aimed at students, academic programs, research and other university priorities.
The university reported support from 5,933 donors. Its FY26 fundraising highlights listed $69.86 million in philanthropic commitments and 10,472 gifts and commitments.
“At UNT, philanthropy accelerates what is possible,” said UNT President Harrison Keller, Ph.D.
UNT said the support reaches a student body of more than 42,000 and strengthens an R1 research university in North Texas.
“These results reflect the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the university and the confidence our donors have in UNT’s future,” said Brandon Buzbee, vice president for university advancement. “UNT is a place where philanthropy can go farther and accomplish more. It can open doors to economic mobility and change the trajectory of families for generations, while also accelerating discovery and research in areas critical to our future. Our donors see the opportunity in front of UNT, and their generosity is helping us realize it.”
By the numbers
- $69.86 million in philanthropic commitments
- 5,933 donors
- 10,472 gifts and commitments
- 6,623 Better Look North student success campaign donors, with 59.25% alumni donors
Major gifts support scholarships and athletics
Among the largest commitments was an anonymous estate gift of about $20 million to create a permanent scholarship endowment in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. UNT said the commitment, announced in January, is the largest scholarship gift in university history and will provide full cost-of-attendance scholarships for high-achieving undergraduate students.
The university also cited the largest philanthropic gift in UNT Athletics history. Alumni Tom and Kristy Weger committed $4.6 million to support the expansion of the UNT Athletic Center and establish the Weger Family Strength and Conditioning Center, which UNT said will provide advanced training and recovery resources for student-athletes across all Mean Green sports.
Those gifts align with the $100 million Better Look North student success campaign, which focuses on resources meant to help students persist, graduate and move into opportunities after college. UNT said campaign support includes scholarships, emergency assistance, research, internships, mentorship and other experiences.
Day of Giving and alumni support
During UNT Day of Giving, more than 1,500 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends contributed more than $1.78 million in a single day for programs and initiatives across campus. Volunteer ambassadors inspired 485 gifts, according to the university.
UNT said more than 6,623 donors contributed to Better Look North during the year, including 3,924 alumni donors.
Momentum continues into new academic year
UNT said fundraising momentum is continuing with donor support for student opportunity and the university’s growing research enterprise. Earlier this month, the university announced a $20 million gift from Anuradha and Vikas Sinha to advance artificial intelligence and advanced analytics and support the new College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics.
“We are grateful for what our donors have already made possible, and we are just getting started,” Keller said. “UNT is growing in ambition, in research strength and in the impact we have far beyond our campuses. We have an extraordinary opportunity in front of us, and we intend to make the most of it.”