The Denver Difference: 2025 Philanthropy Advances Purpose and Powers Change
Embracing The Denver Difference, DU donors accelerated a bold mission to reshape higher education by investing more than $80 million in students, faculty, innovation, and global impact.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends, as well as the invaluable support from foundations and corporations, DU surpassed $80 million in philanthropic support during fiscal year 2025, marking one of the top three fundraising years in DU history.
“The lives we’re changing today will become the leaders who change the world tomorrow,” said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “Our donors are not just funding education—they’re investing in students, our faculty’s teaching and research, and the future. Their support ensures DU can continue leading with purpose and redefining the next chapter of higher education.”
Donor support this year reflects a strong vote of confidence in DU’s vision to reimagine higher education. With investments spanning scholarships, the 4D Experience, faculty excellence, free expression and pluralism, interdisciplinary research, athletics, and state-of-the-art learning spaces, 2025 philanthropy continues to chart a new course for innovation, transformation, and excellence.
This milestone, which includes $1.2 million in gifts made during our tenth annual 1DAY4DU, demonstrates the power of collective giving to move The Denver Difference campaign and DU’s mission forward in bold and meaningful ways. Focused on DU’s core campaign priorities—people, programs, and places—donor gifts are already making an impact.
Our People Are The Denver Difference
At the heart of the DU mission is a deep commitment to people, empowering students with access to transformative education and supporting the faculty who guide their development. In fiscal year 2025, philanthropy accelerated that mission by investing directly in scholarships, mentoring programs, and high-impact learning experiences.
Donor support is expanding entrepreneurship and innovation for Daniels College of Business students through scholarships and experiential learning. A newly established scholarship fund was also created to support high-achieving undergraduates—regardless of major—who have demonstrated significant financial need, with a preference for first-generation students. Additional contributions are supporting diverse areas of education and leadership development, including an endowed award for Daniels graduate students committed to public service, a planned legacy gift that will fund scholarships in library science and art history, and a gift that will champion first-generation law students and those new to law school through the Ascent Program at the Sturm College of Law.
Together, these gifts reflect the power of community to remove financial barriers, cultivate opportunity, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Our Programs Advance the Public Good
Our programs shape the work of our people by turning learning into action and vision into impact. Philanthropy is driving meaningful change, supporting groundbreaking academic and athletic programs that build understanding, inspire leadership, enhance the 4D Experience, and create pathways toward a better future.
Donor support is expanding access to invaluable experiential, career-focused learning at the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management and advancing the Institute for Human-Animal Connection’s pioneering research at the Graduate School of Social Work. A new visiting professorship at the Center for Judaic Studies and Holocaust Awareness Institute will advance DU’s leadership in Holocaust education by spearheading research, teacher training, preserving survivors’ stories through digitization, and expanding community outreach. And, and at the Sturm College of Law, donor support will sustain the Tribal Wills Project and bolster civil litigation programs. In athletics, a new endowment for swimming and diving was launched, while a landmark personal philanthropic pledge to DU Hockey will ensure continued excellence for one of the most decorated programs in the nation.
Whether through scholarship, service, or support, DU programs are empowering students to engage with the world, while shaping futures filled with passion, purpose, and promise.
Our Places Expand Potential
DU’s spaces are designed to elevate learning, spark innovation, and cultivate well-being. Philanthropy is broadening these horizons even further, creating new spaces for research excellence, innovation, and athletic distinction.
Opening in 2027, initial work has begun on the new STEM Horizons building, which will empower faculty and students with labs, technologies and collaborative spaces for innovative research in the life sciences. Across campus, a major gift is launching a top-to-bottom renovation of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium, enhancing the experience for athletes and fans while honoring DU’s championship legacy.
This year’s philanthropic momentum goes beyond dollars raised, it’s a powerful affirmation of DU’s mission. With the support of our community, the future we’re building together is bright, bold, and becoming a reality.
“This achievement is about more than numbers; it’s a celebration of what we can accomplish together,” said Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement, Val Otten. “We are incredibly grateful to the many donors who made this impact possible. From grassroots gifts to transformational support, your collective generosity is shaping a future defined by purpose, progress, and possibility.”
