History
Creation of the Arts and Sciences Foundation, 1975
On Dec. 3, 1975, Archie K. Davis, William F. Little and Charles M. Shaffer signed the articles of incorporation of the new Arts and Sciences Foundation. The Foundation’s first officers were: Frank Borden Hanes Sr., chair; Elizabeth Dowd, vice chair; James R. Gaskin, president; Wiliam F. Little, vice president; and Charles M. Shaffer, secretary/treasurer.
The Foundation postponed formal fundraising efforts until the conclusion of the University’s first capital campaign. Margaret Harper became the first of many donors to the Foundation with a gift of $1,000.
Foundations for Excellence, 1984-1986
College goal: $5 million
Gifts and pledges: $22.2 million
The College’s first capital campaign aimed “to protect and enhance the reputation of the College of Arts and Sciences and its long tradition of excellence.”
The first major gift to the campaign was a $750,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1986, with gifts and pledges from more than 13,000 alumni and friends, the campaign exceeded $22 million. The new funds helped the College endow professorships, boost its technological resources and create new programs.
The Bicentennial Campaign, 1989-1995
College goal: $50 million
Gifts and pledges: $53 million
This major campaign that honored Carolina’s 200th birthday unveiled a number of new initiatives, including the Carolina Scholars Program, a merit-based scholarship program to encourage undergraduate excellence and attract exceptionally talented students. Donors continued to respond to the growing need for endowed professorships and graduate fellowships in maintaining the University’s national reputation.
Carolina First, 1999-2007
College goal: $350 million
Gift and pledges: $387 million
The campaign ended as the fifth-largest university fundraising drive among completed campaigns in the history of U.S. higher education. With more than 190,000 donors, including nearly 35,000 giving to the College, Carolina First exceeded its goal and raised more than $2.3 billion. During Carolina First, the Foundation helped the College raise more than $387 million for its top priorities, including faculty recruitment and retention, teaching and research facilities and student support.
The Campaign for Carolina, 2017- 2022
College goal: $750 million
Gifts and pledges: $764 million
The University-wide Campaign for Carolina raised more than $5 billion. The College’s goal in the Campaign for Carolina was $750 million. More than 37,300 alumni and generous friends of the College of Arts and Sciences contributed $764 million for College students, faculty and programs. The Arts and Sciences Foundation elicits support for the College’s top priorities, including the Chancellor’s Science Scholars Program, Convergent Science, the Program for Public Discourse and Southern Futures. These initiatives illustrate the College’s commitment to reimagining the arts and sciences for the public good. Learn more about some of the stories behind these historical figures and commitments in the College’s campaign impact report.