Founders Society

Celebrating UConn’s most generous philanthropists

The Founders Society celebrates UConn’s most generous philanthropic partners—those whose lifetime giving totals $100,000 or more. With over 1,700 members, these visionary donors influence every area of UConn, shaping its history, empowering its present, and significantly impacting its future.

Meet Judy Sarna

Thanks to Judy Sarna and her late husband Morris, a Holocaust survivor, UConn’s Neag School of Education is bringing its immersive Holocaust and bias awareness program to high school students—empowering the next generation to build empathy and reduce hatred in communities across Connecticut.

Read Judy’s Story

Because of Founders Society

$750m

Over $750 million in total lifetime commitments

1,747

1,747 total members leading support across every area of the University

123

In FY25, 123 new members joined and 81 members deepened their commitment by advancing to a higher giving circle

Members are personally welcomed into the Founders Society and celebrated with a custom UConn gift, annual impact updates, and exclusive communications and event invitations—honoring their generosity and leadership.

View our latest annual impact report

Recognition Circles

Founders Society members make a profound impact across UConn and are celebrated within five distinct recognition circles—each inspired by meaningful chapters in the university and state’s history.

Neag Circle

Recognizing donors giving $5 million and above

Named in honor of Ray ’56 (CLAS) ’01H and Carole Neag, whose transformative gifts to the Neag School of Education and UConn Health have propelled both programs to a higher level of excellence.

Because of Neag Circle Members

The Elisabeth DeLuca School of Nursing will be a leader in addressing the national nursing shortage and preparing the next generation of nursing professionals to meet complex patient care challenges across our state and nation. This work is supported by a new state-of-the-art facility, DeLuca Hall, expanded student scholarships, increased faculty, and enhanced program resources.

A rendering of the Bailey Student Athlete Success Center

Student-athletes will advance their academic achievement, mental and physical wellness, and athletic excellence in the Bailey Student-Athlete Success Center, a new, world-class facility, with programmatic support from The Nayden Center for Academic Excellence.

Students collaborating at a table with their laptops out and pens and paper

Student entrepreneurs and future business leaders across disciplines are empowered to launch innovative ventures and drive economic growth through the Boucher Management & Entrepreneurship Department.

1881 Circle

Recognizing donors giving $1 million to $4,999,999

Named to mark the year of UConn’s founding as the Storrs Agricultural School. The name was updated to the University of Connecticut in 1939.

Because of 1881 Circle Members

David Lindsay, a biomedical engineering student working in a chemistry lab.

A new academic center will target addiction research through advances in biomedical and physical sciences.

A fellowship in the UConn School of Law creates an opportunity for aspiring and practicing attorneys to mentor and educate the next generation of public leaders.

Charter Oak Circle

Recognizing donors giving $500,000 to $999,999

Named in honor of the famed Charter Oak, a symbol of Connecticut’s fight for independence.

Because of Charter Oak Circle Members

Kathleen LaBrosse, Kamari Cross, and Joe LaBrosse standing from left to right smiling

UConn students, faculty, and alumni provide mentorship, education, and real-world experiences to educate Connecticut high school students on financial literacy.

UConn Waterbury SHAW Fresh Check 2025 members standing in a group, putting their arms in the air, and smiling

The UConn community prioritizes student mental health and overall well-being through scholarship and programmatic support to Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) to cultivate optimal health and lifelong well-being for every student.

Charles and Augustus Storrs Circle

Recognizing donors giving $250,000 to $499,999

Named in honor of the Storrs Brothers, whose gift of land and money in 1881 enabled Connecticut to establish UConn, then known as the Storrs Agricultural School.