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URI Achieves Twin Milestones in Endowment, Campaign

The University of Rhode Island recently hit twin milestones, as the URI endowment reached $200 million for the first time and Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the University of Rhode Island exceeded $200 million. The URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement (URIFAE), which manages the endowment and is directing the comprehensive campaign, announced these totals in mid-March.

“Both of these historic totals are the result of the tremendous generosity and dedication of the URI community,” said Lil O’Rourke, president of URIFAE. “Alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations have sent a message with their ongoing support over the years—URI students are worth the investment, and the future is bright for this University.”

The endowment is made up of a number of funds designated with specific purposes to benefit students, faculty, programs, research, and operations. These funds are invested for long-term growth to provide reliable support over time. With this new high mark, the endowment has grown by 89 percent in the last five years.

The campaign is 80 percent of the way toward its $250 million goal by 2024. This is a comprehensive, University-wide effort to bring in new resources to position the University for success in the present and far into the future. The campaign is organized around five key pillars: student access, the URI learning experience, transformative faculty leadership, innovative and distinctive programs, and strategic opportunities.

URI’s available scholarships, research funding, and immediate-use funds were critical to allowing students and faculty continue with learning, teaching, and new discoveries throughout the pandemic shutdown.