The State's investment in the University through UCONN 2000 inspired the record-setting pace of private investment. UCONN 2000's original matching gift program, coupled with its subsequent renewal, has demonstrated to individual and corporate donors that state lawmakers share the vision for an educational institution of the highest quality for Connecticut's citizens.

Understanding that private funds provide an important supplement - the margin of excellence - to the State's commitment, these generous benefactors are taking advantage of a prime opportunity to make a leveraged investment of lasting consequence.

> The insight of Governor Rowland and legislative leaders in 2001 extended and expanded the State's commitment to match endowment gifts by adding $115 million in funding opportunities through 2014. This vote of confidence rewards the University's outstanding record in securing private investment. Equally important, it recognizes that reliable state support maintains the momentum of investor confidence inspired by the original UCONN 2000 legislation.