Economic Upswing

UAB’s Best Fund-Raising Year Ever

Shirley Salloway Kahn

Fiscal year 2009 may have started with a severe economic downturn for the nation, but thanks to UAB’s generous donors, it ended on a high note for the university. In this first year of phase II of the Maintaining the Momentum initiative, UAB raised $96.5 million. This is the largest amount raised in a single year in the history of the university, and it brings the amount raised over the past 10 years to $850 million.

“This was truly an outstanding fund-raising year for UAB,” says Shirley Salloway Kahn, vice president for development, alumni, and external relations. “This success is a strong testament to the commitment of our donors who believe in the importance of the work being done by our faculty, staff, and students. We are so grateful to all our donors who contributed to make this year—and this decade—our best ever.”

A few of the larger commitments received over the year include $6 million from the McKnight Brain Research Foundation for the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, $5 million from Parent Advocates Down Syndrome for the Adult Down Syndrome Clinic, $5 million from Jane Stephens Comer for the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center youth outreach program, and $5 million from an anonymous donor for scholarships and unrestricted support.

Kahn adds, “Every gift that UAB receives, no matter the amount, makes a difference in our ability to serve our students, faculty, patients, and community.”

Maintaining the Momentum / Winter/Spring 2010