University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics Concludes the Academic Year with Record-Breaking Fundraising Achievements
07.22.2025 | General
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The 2024-25 academic year was among the most challenging years in UNC Asheville athletics department history. Still, despite the trials and tribulations the department endured, this fiscal year saw the strongest fundraising year in department history.
While overcoming the setbacks of Hurricane Helene, the athletics department brought in over $3.5 million in annual giving. This record-breaking amount does not include pledges, as the amount brought in this year is all in cash gifts. The amount the department received this fiscal year surpassed last year's total giving amount by nearly $1.2 million. This milestone marks the first time in university history that the athletics department has exceeded the $3 million threshold.
In total, the department received 2,007 gifts throughout the year. The department's most significant gift this year, and in program history, was the $1.8 million gift that was a part of the $5 million gift the University received in part of the Centennial Campaign.
One of the bigger events that saw an increase in giving this year from last year was the department's annual Our Turn to Play event. This year's event brought in nearly $75,000 more than last year's event, which saw an increase of almost $164,000 from the 2023 event.
Other big projects that received major giving this year included the Jeff Fox Hitting Facility, the on-campus Tennis Facility, and turfing the soccer field. The department brought in over $677,000 through capital giving, increasing from last year's amount of nearly $494,000.
The sport giving total also increased, nearly doubling the amount received during the 2022-23 school year. Asheville's 16 teams received a total of $619,984.82 and had its largest number of gifts received in department history with 1,205.
"I cannot express enough my gratitude to all of the individuals who showed their support through giving to our department this school year," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "The gifts we received this year will make a lasting impact on the longevity of our department as we continue our strategic plan of Dreaming Bigger and Achieving More."
Asheville's Dream Bigger. Achieve More. Strategic Plan was introduced in the spring of 2023, and one of the pillars of success laid out in the plan was revenue growth and facilities. From the 2022-23 school year to the completion of the 2024-25 school year, the athletic department has increased its annual giving by over $1 million.
Feeling inspired to help support? Please contact Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone at jcone@unca.edu or (828) 251-6922.