UCI:

UCI continues to celebrate record fundraising numbers at the conclusion of its 2007-08 school year. The university recently announced it raised $130.03 million in private donor gifts and grants this year — a new record — along with a new record for total gifts at 27,969, officials said.

The previous record was $120.1 million donated last year, and the total gifts were up by about 1,000 from the previous total.

The university sees the funding increase as an indication of the school’s progress in research, education and public service.

“Our campus is shaping the future of issues that we all care deeply about,” Chancellor Michael V. Drake said.

Private gifts and grants help support programs not funded by the state or fill holes when state funding doesn’t get them far enough, officials said.

UCI’s fundraising process has increased 70% since 2004-05 when the school opened the Office for University Advancement, which focuses on generating funds.

— Daniel Tedford