Although no other American public university had ever achieved such an ambitious milestone, campus administrators in July 1995 firmly believed that Campaign UCLA’s goal—to raise $1.2 billion in seven years for academic priorities—was ultimately attainable. Yet none would have predicted the degree to which the Campaign would exceed expectations.
In April of 2000, Chancellor Albert Carnesale had the pleasure of announcing to the
campus community that Campaign UCLA had surpassed its original goal a
full two years ahead of schedule. Moreover, he said, the campus would strive to raise an
additional $400 million by the Campaign’s end date of June 30, 2002, setting the new
overall target at $1.6 billion. 
More and more, UCLA’s friends and supporters understand that with state funding providing only about 20 percent of UCLA’s operating budget, private support for the University is crucial. Thanks to partnerships with alumni, parents and friends, community organizations, foundations and corporations, Campaign UCLA received more than $330 million in private gifts and grants during fiscal year 1999-2000. This figure brought the Campaign total to $1.24 billion, or 78 percent of the new $1.6-billion goal, and marked the fifth consecutive year in which UCLA has led all 10 UC campuses in fund raising.
The Campaign’s increased goal will help to fund many of UCLA’s academic initiatives in the years to come—specifically, three interdisciplinary themes that Chancellor Carnesale has identified as the University’s "frontiers of knowledge." The first addresses new interactions in the life sciences and medicine that will keep UCLA at the forefront of the scientific future. The second involves information technology, both as a tool for teaching and research and as a communications phenomenon with sweeping effects on society. And the third, titled "UCLA in L.A.," will strengthen and expand UCLA’s active engagement in the Los Angeles community through outreach, K-12 enhancement, the arts, extension, medical care, volunteer activities and more.
Each of these themes crosses traditional academic boundaries and builds on UCLA’s strengths. And each—through the generosity of Campaign UCLA supporters—will help to ensure the University’s ability to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
