By Coral Gables Gazette staff

In a milestone achievement that caps its centennial year, the University of Miami has raised more than $2.65 billion through its “Ever Brighter: The Campaign for Our Next Century.” Publicly launched just four years ago, the effort exceeded its original goal of $2.5 billion and stands as the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaign in the institution’s history.

The multiyear campaign concluded seven months ahead of schedule and now ranks as the largest fundraising initiative ever undertaken by a private institution in Florida. With more than 470,000 gifts and pledges from 160,000 donors across 98 countries, the scale and reach of “Ever Brighter” reflect both the University’s growing global influence and the strength of its alumni and donor network.

Stuart A. Miller, executive chairman and co-CEO of Lennar Corporation and chair of the UHealth Board of Directors, served as campaign chair. “Reaching this milestone during our centennial is both profound and inspiring,” he said. “We are deeply grateful to every donor who believed in the future of the University of Miami.”

The campaign set out to strengthen the university’s academic, research, health care, and athletic foundations, positioning the institution for sustained excellence in its second century. More than $280 million was dedicated to student support, including scholarships that expand access and affordability. The effort also added 112 new endowed positions known as “Centennial Talents,” which help recruit and retain top faculty.

Among those endowed positions is the William R. Middelthon III Chair of Earth Sciences, held by Professor Benjamin Kirtman at the Rosenstiel School. Kirtman, whose work focuses on climate predictability, called the moment pivotal: “This is an opportunity to do high-risk, high-payoff science that has direct local relevance.”

Donor generosity also bolstered the university’s long-term financial stability. The campaign raised $689 million in new endowment commitments and received more than 440 contributions of $1 million or more. Notably, the campaign benefited from the largest individual gift in university history—a $126 million anonymous donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in honor of its director, Dr. Stephen Nimer.

Other transformative contributions included a $100 million gift from Phillip and Patricia Frost, which led to the establishment of the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science. That facility anchors a broader cluster of research institutes coordinated under the Frost Institutes for Science and Engineering. Philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin added $50 million to Sylvester, enabling construction of a 12-story, 244,000-square-foot cancer research building slated to double the medical campus’s research footprint.

Athletics, another pillar of the campaign, drew substantial investment. The Soffer family funded the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility, while other donors supported renovations, women’s athletics, and Olympic sports.

Throughout the campaign, the university sought to build not just financial resources but also a culture of giving. Nearly 90 percent of all donations were $1,000 or less, and the median gift was just $50. According to Joshua M. Friedman, senior vice president for development and alumni relations, that breadth of support signaled deep engagement. “While larger gifts often receive the spotlight, this campaign was truly a collective effort.”

Donors included first-time givers, long-standing alumni, local philanthropists, and international supporters. Grecia Dianel Rivera Carrasquillo, a 2024 graduate of the Frost School of Music, credited scholarship support with enabling her to pursue her dream of becoming a Latin pop artist. “Scholarship support gave me that opportunity and has changed my life,” she said.

In total, “Ever Brighter” resulted in the creation of 564,512 square feet of new facilities across the university’s three campuses. Major capital investments included the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, funded by a $20 million gift from the Desai Sethi Family Foundation, and the Frost School of Music’s Knight Center for Music Innovation, supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

A legacy gift from Patti and Allan Herbert will further shape the university for generations. The couple’s long-time philanthropy spanned health care, arts, and academics; Patti passed away in 2020, and Allan followed in 2025.

Other campaign highlights include the launch of the Institute of the Mathematical Sciences of the Americas, established with support from the Simons Foundation to foster regional and global scientific collaboration. The university also introduced USTAAR—a startup accelerator for student entrepreneurs—with seed funding from alumnus Angel Alvarez and his family.

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Guillermo “Willy” Prado said the campaign demonstrates a strong sense of connection to the institution. “Ever Brighter is fueling student success, academic and research distinction, and discoveries that will benefit society,” he said.

As the university enters its second century, leaders say the campaign’s impact is already visible across campuses, laboratories, and classrooms—and will continue to shape the institution’s direction for decades.

“Thanks to donor generosity, we are better positioned than ever to lead, serve, and thrive for the next 100 years and beyond,” said Miller.

“Ever Brighter” by the numbers:

• $2.658 billion: Fundraising total
• 6.3: Percentage over campaign goal
• 443: Gifts of $1 million or more
• 472,793: Total number of gifts
• 107,255: First-time donors
• 112: New endowed positions (Centennial Talents)
• 564,512: New square footage across campuses