1989-90 Donations to UCI Decline to $27.3 Million

Private support for UC Irvine dropped off slightly from last year’s record contributions, but university officials said the decrease was not unexpected.

The university released figures Friday that showed that private gifts and grants for fiscal year 1989-90, which ended June 30, amounted to $27.3 million, a $5.5-million drop compared to the all-time high contributions of $32.8 million in 1988-89.

“The fluctuations aren’t surprising to us,” said Kathy Jones, associate vice chancellor of university advancement. “When we got an $8.5-million trust last year, we were aware that it would possibly cause a little blip in our year-to-year totals.”

The $8.5-million personal trust came from Edra E. Brophy of Palm Desert, the largest gift in the school’s history.

In 1981, the university received $4.2 million in gifts and has since experienced a steady rise. This year’s $27.3 million is still far above any previous year’s total, with the exception of last year.

Jones said officials are not disappointed with this year’s total and are, in fact, pleased by a sharp increase in donations of cash and securities, and gifts from corporations.

“We are very enthusiastic about the support that we received from the community,” Jones said. “This is still a new university which is celebrating its 25th year. As we visit the community, we get a very strong sense of partnership.”

This year, corporations contributed $8.6 million, foundations $8 million, and alumni, parents and community members $7.5 million. Also, $3.2 million was generated from other sources, such as campus-related organizations and trusts.

One of the larger donations came from Corona del Mar philanthropist Arnold Beckman, who gave $5.2 million to the Beckman Laser Institute. Another major contributor was AST Research of Irvine, which pledged more than $1 million in computers and capital.

Other major contributions included a $1-million pledge from Newport Beach residents Richard and Marjorie Barclay, which will be used for the 750-seat Irvine Barclay Theater. Newport Beach residents Eric and Lila Nelson also contributed $1 million for a proposed endowed chair in neuropharmacology.