The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa announced a historic fundraising milestone this week: the Rising Tide 2.0 capital campaign has closed at $2.1 billion, the largest ever for a public university in the state. Launched in 2021, the decade‑long effort far exceeded its original expectations and builds on previous milestones of $1.5 billion in 2024 and $1.8 billion in 2025.
Alumni and community generosity fuels growth
President Peter Mohler praised the outpouring of support, saying, “The success of Rising Tide 2.0 reflects the deep belief our alumni, friends and supporters have in the University of Alabama and in the promise of our students, faculty, staff and future.” He added that donor generosity is “opening doors for generations of students, strengthening the work of our faculty and expanding the spaces where discovery, creativity and leadership take shape.”
Scholarships and faculty endowments see major gains
According to the university’s announcement, the campaign has already produced a 37 % increase in endowed scholarship monies awarded and a 38 % rise in the number of students receiving endowed scholarships since 2016. In total, the gifts will fund 1,212 new scholarship endowments and 84 new faculty endowments, ensuring long‑term financial support for academic excellence.
Campus expansion and renovation
The fundraising will also support more than 800,000 square feet of new and renovated facilities, providing modern classrooms, research labs and student spaces. These improvements are expected to enhance the university’s ability to attract top talent and maintain its reputation as a leading institution in the South.
Broad base of donors
The campaign’s success rests on a wide spectrum of contributions. There were 310 gifts of $1 million or more, alongside 594,019 gifts of $100 or less. Notably, 118,000 first‑time donors made their inaugural gifts to the university, demonstrating deepening community engagement.
Impact on students and the state
Bob Pierce, the university’s vice president for advancement, emphasized the lasting impact: “The number of students who will benefit from the philanthropy of our current benefactors over the generations to come can’t be counted. I am awed by the generosity of our donors and their desire to make the university even better tomorrow than it is today.”
Enrollment continues to rise
University officials also highlighted that enrollment has set a new record for the Tuscaloosa campus, with 42,431 students enrolled for Fall 2026 – the highest figure in the institution’s history and the tenth consecutive year of growth.
Overall, the Rising Tide 2.0 campaign represents a powerful investment in Alabama’s future, reinforcing the University of Alabama’s role as an engine of education, research and economic development for the state and the nation.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
