School of Architecture Raises $36.7 Million in What Starts Here Campaign

On August 31, The University of Texas at Austin concluded it’s record-breaking What Starts Here capital campaign, a ten-year effort that raised $7.4 billion in support of students, faculty, academic programs, UT Athletics, and campus projects. The School of Architecture raised $36.7 million in gifts and pledges during the campaign, surpassing its original $30-million goal. More than 1,400 School of Architecture alumni and friends contributed to the campaign, including 881 first-time donors.

“Our success in the capital campaign shows that we have a pool of supporters that is both wide and deep,” said the school’s chief development officer, Luke Dunlap. “We are grateful to the alumni and friends who have such a strong bond with the school and have invested in the long-term success of our programs.  What’s especially remarkable is the number of first-time donors who stepped up, contributing nearly $11 million over the course of the campaign.  This all points to a bright future and secures our position in the premiere league of the world’s best architecture schools.”

Every gift to the School of Architecture was included in the campaign total, from $5 to $6.5 million.  Eighty gifts exceeded $100,000, including nine of more than $1 million. Planned gifts, including bequests and estate provisions that will benefit the school in the future, account for $14.8 million of the campaign total.

That support has also significantly strengthened the school’s endowment. The campaign generated 43 new endowments with a current market value of more than $15 million. In the 2026-27 academic year alone, these funds will contribute more than $680,000 to the School of Architecture’s budget. Since the campaign began in 2017, new endowments have enabled the school to make 650 additional student awards for scholarships, travel, and research.

The campaign’s impact can be seen across the school. It established three new endowed chairs, an endowed professorship, 21 new scholarships and graduate fellowships, and eight new funds supporting student travel. Several of the campaign’s largest gifts were comprehensive in scope, strengthening programs, faculty support, student opportunities, and research. 

Among the campaign’s earliest milestones was the transformational endowment for urban design from Professor Emeritus Sinclair Black.  In the campaign’s final year, another landmark gift from Tony Chase and Dina Al-Sowayel honored the legacy of John S. Chase through the naming of the Architecture and Planning Library, while providing support that benefits both the School of Architecture and UT Libraries.

“The close of this campaign is both a moment to celebrate and a foundation for what comes next,” said Dean Heather Woofter. “The generosity of our alumni and friends expands what we can offer our students and faculty today, while creating resources that will sustain the school for generations to come. Their support strengthens the people, research, and creative work that will shape the future of the built environment and gives the School of Architecture tremendous momentum for the years ahead.”