Darden Annual Fund

Illuminating Success:
The Annual Fund’s Journey and Engagement

The Darden Annual Fund continues to shine as a beacon of success and engagement throughout the ongoing Powered by Purpose campaign. A key highlight is the unprecedented alumni participation in Giving Day events. The inaugural GivingToHoos Day in April 2016 saw Darden outpace all other UVA schools in funds raised. This success was only amplified in subsequent years. During the third GivingToHoos Day in April 2018, the Darden Annual Fund celebrated its first million-dollar day. The record for most alumni participation was set in 2019, with an impressive 1,530 donors, showcasing our community’s growing enthusiasm and commitment. This momentum carried forward when the School launched its own giving day in 2022.

The unrestricted nature of annual fund giving empowers Darden to be agile and allocate resources to emerging priorities. For instance, the fund consistently supports faculty searches, a need that has significantly increased due to a wave of faculty retirements in recent years. This flexible funding is instrumental in upholding Darden’s high academic standards and ensuring the School’s continued success. The annual fund’s impact is a testament to the power of collective giving and the unwavering support of our community.

Providing Aid:
Scholarships and Student Support

The Darden Annual Fund continues to serve as a resource for many students, providing essential scholarships and financial support. Unrestricted giving, the source of more than half of Darden’s scholarships, is instrumental in making the School more accessible to students from all backgrounds and circumstances.

Moreover, the fund plays a pivotal role in enhancing the student experience. Starting in 2022, the annual fund began sponsoring several organizations, including the Darden Student Association. This sponsorship significantly reduces associated costs, helping students focus on community building. This initiative not only fosters a more inclusive community but also enriches the overall student experience at Darden. As the Powered by Purpose campaign continues, the annual fund remains committed to supporting our students and fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Rising to the Challenge:
Pandemic Response and Technological Advancement

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, the generosity of our community enabled Darden to advance its digital capabilities while continuing to offer in-person instruction — a feat not all business schools could achieve. The Darden Annual Fund played a pivotal role in helping the School navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The fund provided financial support for students facing hardship, ensuring that no student’s education was disrupted due to financial constraints. It also covered the costs of new technology required for virtual operations and classes, ensuring the continuity of operations. This included the acquisition of new technology and the addition of staff to support the virtual classroom.

The fund also outfitted conference rooms with Zoom and procured equipment and software to improve the quality of virtual classes. These advancements ensured a seamless transition to virtual learning during the pandemic and enhanced Darden’s digital capabilities for the future.

Driving Sustainability:
Achieving a Global Lead in Carbon Footprint Reduction

The Darden Annual Fund is instrumental in fueling the School’s vision for sustainability. One significant initiative is the reduction of the School’s environmental footprint. By late 2022, Darden reduced paper cup usage by 50 percent, with a target of an additional 50 percent reduction, aiming to eliminate disposable cups at First Coffee by fall 2023.

However, our most remarkable achievement in sustainability was recognized by the Financial Times in its Global MBA Ranking 2023. The new ranking methodology places a fresh emphasis on sustainability, diversity and how business schools engage with societal challenges. Darden achieved the top rank in the category “Best for Carbon Footprint,” reflecting our commitment to tackling emissions. This accolade stemmed from our achievement of carbon neutrality in 2019, attained partly through guaranteeing payments for electricity generated without fossil fuels, which allowed for a new solar plant that supplies the School. Our ambitious sustainability targets for 2030 underscore our continued commitment to this critical mission.

Fostering Inclusivity:
Creating a Culture of Value and Support

The Darden Annual Fund also champions inclusivity, contributing to a diverse and supportive community. By funding key affinity clubs and increasing access to professional development opportunities, Darden ensures an environment that values and supports every student.

In 2021, the fund supported the Dean’s Diversity Advisory Council challenge, leading to a surge of support for inclusive excellence initiatives. This funding enables a broader set of recruitment activities, increased admissions outreach and scholarship opportunities, and it supports the student-to-alumni transition with compelling engagement opportunities. These efforts demonstrate the annual fund’s commitment to fostering an inclusive community at Darden.