Ole Miss Endowment Tops $1 Billion, Fueled by Record Giving
Donors drive progress in academics, research, health care and athletics during historic year
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi's endowment has topped the $1 billion milestone, aided by another year of unprecedented generosity.
Private support soared to a record $215.6 million in fiscal year 2025, shattering last year's record by 28%.
"Our record-breaking philanthropy is fueling Ole Miss' incredible momentum, enabling us to advance all areas of our institution," Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce said. "An achievement of this magnitude is only possible with the unwavering dedication of our donors, and we are tremendously grateful to them.
Students celebrate the first day of fall semester classes at the university. A record fundraising year for Ole Miss is creating new opportunities for students to learn, lead and explore. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
"We look forward to the impact these investments will have on our university and our work – for generations – leading to extraordinary levels of excellence."
Endowed funds are held permanently and invested with annual distributions directed to initiatives supporting Ole Miss students. The endowment surpassed $1 billion in June, placing the university in an elite club of peers, said Wendell Weakley, president and CEO of the UM Foundation.
Endowment growth comes from donor gifts and revenue generated from strategic, long-term investments.
The vast majority of endowed funds are directed by donor designations, such as scholarships, faculty support and facilities. Because most gifts are designated for specific purposes, each contribution expands opportunities and enriches the student experience in ways that other funding alone cannot achieve.
Additionally, the university has been engaged in Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss, the largest fundraising effort in state history. The campaign surpassed its $1.5 billion goal more than a year ahead of schedule in June 2024, and the university will announce the grand total on Sept. 12.
Investing in the Classroom
Support for academics on the Oxford campus totaled over $85 million, a single-year record. These gifts will help the university provide access to higher education to more students, expand research opportunities and keep high-performing talent in Mississippi.
Paula and Jonathan Jones, of Houston, Texas, provided a $10 million gift toward the construction of a new academic home for the Patterson School of Accountancy, which will be named Jones Hall to honor their support.
Cancer Center Giving Drives Medical Center Support
The new Cancer Center and Research Institute initiative drove the University of Mississippi Medical Center's largest fundraising year, which brought in $75.2 million.
Sandy and John Black, of Madison, committed $25 million, the single largest gift in UMMC history for the cancer center's new facility campaign. The investment will strengthen the medical center's ability to conduct research and provide health care to cancer patients in the state, which has the nation's highest mortality rate from the disease.
"We are so grateful for the Blacks and all donors who chose to invest in us," said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. "Our mission is the strongest when our donors believe in UMMC."
Nurturing Champions
Excited by a historic run of success, donors provided $55.2 million to Ole Miss athletics. This program record is significant because it did not include gifts to the Grove Collective.
The Ole Miss woman's softball team celebrates a win over Arkansas in Super Regional play in May to clinch the program's first trip to the Women's College World Series. Photo by Hannah Morgan White/Ole Miss Athletics
The Rebels are coming off a landmark season, with four individual national titles across three sports and four teams achieving or equaling their best NCAA finish, including the softball team's first trip to the Women's College World Series. Both men's and women's basketball teams reached the Sweet 16, while the football team recorded its third 10-win season in the last four years.
"We are in the midst of one of the most successful eras in our athletics history, and that momentum is only possible because of the unwavering support of our dedicated alumni and friends," said Keith Carter, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics.
To learn more about supporting the University of Mississippi, contact Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development, at cpparks@olemiss.edu or 662-915-3120; the University of Mississippi Medical Center, contact Meredith Aldridge, executive director of development, at mmaldridge@umc.edu or 601-984-2302; or Ole Miss athletics, Denson Hollis, senior associate athletics director for development and Ole Miss Athletics Foundation CEO, at denson@givetoathletics.com or 662-915-7159.
Gifts can be made online here. Checks, with the designated fund written in the memo line, can be mailed to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.