UGA trying to raise $1B by 2020

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - The University of Georgia is trying to raise at least $1 billion by 2020.

The Athens Banner-Herald (https://bit.ly/1h728OK ) reports that a so-called “quiet” phase of the fundraising effort has been going on about 18 months.

Officials are trying to ramp up the effort to bring in additional money. The goal is to offset declining state support.

The money will go to campus infrastructure, faculty support and research, and improving the student experience.

The university says donations averaged about $109 million a year over the past eight years. To reach $1 billion, the yearly average would need to grow to $125 million.

Leaders hope to raise even more. A fundraising drive a few years ago had a goal of bringing in $500 million but eventually raise more than $650 million.