The University of Tennessee at Martin secured $7,927,171 in philanthropic support during the 2025-26 fiscal year, reflecting the continued commitment of alumni, donors and friends to expanding opportunities for UT Martin students and advancing the university’s mission.
The total represents a historic year for donor participation, with a record 5,874 donors giving in support of student scholarships, academic programs, faculty excellence, athletics, campus facilities and other university priorities.
Additional highlights from the fiscal year included:
• Achieving a record-breaking Captain’s Challenge, which raised $692,572 from 1,959 donors and introduced Captain’s Karaoke to engage UT Martin faculty and staff in the annual giving campaign
• The launch of UT Martin’s 125th anniversary celebration. The university commemorated the milestone through an opening ceremony and statewide tour that brought alumni, donors, friends and community members together to celebrate UT Martin’s history and continued impact across Tennessee.
“Our 125th anniversary was a celebration of our past, but it also highlighted the incredible investment our alumni and friends are making in our future,” said Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. “A record number of donors chose to support UT Martin during this milestone year, demonstrating both their loyalty to their alma mater and their belief in the university’s role as a catalyst for opportunity and economic growth across West Tennessee.”
The 125th celebration events honored generations of Skyhawks and Pacers, strengthened connections with communities throughout the state and created opportunities to reflect on the university’s legacy while building momentum for its future.
The University of Tennessee Foundation Inc. raised $654,881,067 in fiscal year 2026, marking the organization’s 25th anniversary with the single-greatest fundraising year in the University of Tennessee’s history. The total shatters the previous record of $492.8 million set last year.
This year’s total reflects the collective impact across every campus and institute in the UT System: UT Knoxville ($581 million, which includes $34 million from the UT Institute of Agriculture), UT Chattanooga ($29 million), UT Health Science Center ($34 million), UT Martin ($7.9 million) and UT Southern ($830,000).
To learn more about supporting UT Martin, visit give.utm.edu.
About the University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin is a primary regional university in the University of Tennessee System. UT Martin provides high-quality undergraduate and graduate educational programs to West Tennessee and beyond through its main campus in Martin and regional centers throughout the area. The university is committed to preparing students for success through academic excellence, experiential learning and meaningful engagement.
About the University of Tennessee Foundation Inc.
The University of Tennessee Foundation Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses. For more information about the University of Tennessee Foundation and its programs, please visit www.utfi.org.
PHOTO: UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. (left) and Dr. Jackie Johnson, associate vice chancellor for alumni relations and chief engagement officer, toast the launch of the university’s 125th Anniversary Statewide Tour last April.
