UCSB has received $595 million in donations over the last 10 years, exceeding its campaign goal of $500 million.

The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara, which began in 2000 to generate private subsidies, collected $44.5 million in private contributions this year — a $4 million increase from last year. Almost $325 million of the funding has been allocated for departmental support, $160 million for research and $40 million for student support.

Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas said he was very impressed when the overall project surpassed its original goal of $300 million around 2005 — causing the Campaign Steering Committee to boost its target to $500 million.

“Exceeding the stretch goal was a great accomplishment and testament to the hard work of our development staff, faculty and administrators that worked on the campaign,” Lucas said. “I think it has given the campus great confidence that we will be equally successful in future campaigns and I look forward to that success.”

Additionally, UCSB experienced a 50 percent increase in scholarship and fellowship donations over the last decade.

Having grasped the devastating impact of the economic crisis, UCSB Annual Fund’s Director of Telemarketing Brandon Friesen said the community at large has contributed generously to the campus.

“People tend to sympathize more,” Friesen said. “They feel better about what they’re doing. It’s no secret that UCSB is struggling.”

Although the campaign is considering revaluating the project’s scope once again, nothing has been officially determined.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Development Gary Greinke said the campaign is critical to the future of the university.

“Private funding is absolutely critical for the future of UC Santa Barbara and noted in our fundraising approaches to alumni, parents and friends,” Greinke said. “It makes the critical difference in providing scholarships for undergraduates, graduate fellowships for graduates, endowed chairs, support for capital projects and support for academic programs and research on campus.”

Greinke also said declines in state funding actually bode well for increasing private revenue.

“There has been so much state-wide publicity about the budget that we don’t have to tell people that things are bad,” Greinke said. “They’re more cautious about what they’re giving, but they’re still giving. They want to keep a quality education going for the school.”