The University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton has announced a landmark achievement in its fundraising efforts, raising $67.8 million for the fiscal year 2024. This substantial sum, derived from over 11,000 gifts, surpasses the previous record of $61 million set in 2019. The funds will support a wide range of university initiatives, including campus expansions, scholarships, and research projects.
Brandon Buzbee, UNT’s Vice President for University Advancement, attributed this success to the concerted focus on student success and innovation, with significant contributions bolstering UNT’s educational and research capabilities. Notable among these are initiatives like the UNT at Frisco campus expansion, made possible through a partnership with the City of Frisco and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, and the support of 27 undergraduate and master’s level programs.
The achievement reflects the enthusiastic backing from community partners, as highlighted by transformative gifts. Among these, the Moody Foundation’s M-Pact Fund supports the UNT P.U.S.H. program for students emerging from foster care, while the Smyth and Millican families have significantly enhanced scholarship opportunities, benefiting UNT students in language studies and accounting.
Furthermore, additional funding efforts include a $1 million gift from the Meyer family to the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science and a similar contribution from the John and Bonnie Strauss Foundation for a new commercial music program. These donations indicate UNT’s focus on expanding access to STEM and commercial music education.
The fiscal year also saw success during the UNT Day of Giving in May 2024, which raised $770,188 from 2,561 donors, further contributing to the university’s record-setting year.
Dr. Harrison Keller, UNT President, expressed appreciation for the donor community’s support, emphasizing the role of these gifts in propelling UNT’s mission to offer outstanding educational opportunities. As UNT sets its sights on maintaining a steady fundraising pace of $50 million annually over the next five years, the aim remains to facilitate enduring student support and institutional success.
