Butler University concluded its 2025-2026 fiscal year on May 31 with $31,039,138 total dollars contributed from 12,802 individual donors. After welcoming the third-largest incoming class in University history, a major highlight of the year was the September 2025 public launch of the Boldly Butler strategy and accompanying comprehensive campaign. Since the start of the campaign in 2022, donors have now collectively committed more than $159 million toward the campaign’s ambitious $325 million goal. 

Donor support is fueling major University strategic initiatives and campaign priorities, including expanding experiential learning opportunities, growing health professions programs to meet workforce needs, and establishing Butler as a world-class destination for the Arts and Athletics. The 2025-2026 academic year marked the inaugural year for both Founder’s College, made possible by gifts from 345 visionary donors, and Butler’s undergraduate Nursing program, the first of several new academic programs within the College of Health Professions designed to answer urgent workforce demands.

This commitment to relevant, hands-on education was further realized through the Butler Institute for Sports and Entertainment. In its inaugural year, 276 students completed 3,745 experiential learning hours with 34 industry partners across the state, representing a major step forward in the University’s commitment to providing a transformative education with local impact and global reach. In another major move expanding Butler’s global reach, the University announced its innovative three-year Butler Overseas program that will welcome its inaugural cohort in fall 2027.

Butler’s strategic priority to elevate the Arts and Athletics also saw incredible momentum. Energized by the introduction of new Head Coaches for both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs, donors collectively gave more than $10.4 million to Athletics funds, accounting for 34 percent of total giving on the year. This included significant grassroots support from 141 households, who raised more than $357,000 for the Sabrina Donovan Endowed Fund for Men’s Basketball in memory of a passionate Butler basketball fan.  

Simultaneously, Butler’s strategy to elevate and expand its Arts offerings was aided by a $1.1 million commitment to the Jordan College of the Arts (JCA) by former dean Ronald Caltabiano. In total, donors committed more than $3.86 million to JCA last year, accelerating the College’s mission of developing artist-citizens through innovative arts education.

Philanthropic support provides the bedrock that makes the entire Butler experience possible. Donors contributed more than $7.6 million to Butler’s endowment, strengthening the University’s financial foundation. During the past year, donors contributed to 401 unique funds, demonstrating the diverse passions of the Butler community. Thanks to this support, Butler added 20 new scholarships, reinforcing the University’s commitment to providing an exceptional education regardless of financial background. Further reflecting the University’s emphasis on student success and an exceptional academic experience, Butler named Michael Hole ʼ08 to the newly elevated role of Executive Vice President and Provost in November.

By supporting the University’s core academic mission, donor generosity creates the institutional strength required to build a dynamic campus and community. Since the program’s debut in January, more than 600 people have so far enrolled as Butler Ambassadors, expanding the Butler network worldwide. Locally, along with breaking ground on its new Safety and Transit Hub, Butler also celebrated the arrival of several Pacers Bikeshare stations to campus last year. Both initiatives aim to enhance connectivity between the surrounding community and campus in the years to come. 

Boldly Butler is our commitment to setting the standard for delivering a transformative education with local impact and global reach. To achieve this strategic vision, we’ve launched the Boldly Butler comprehensive fundraising campaign, the largest in Butler’s history, with a goal of raising $325 million by May 31, 2030. Learn more or make a gift today at boldly.butler.edu.