The University of California, Davis has received a $120 million donation from Joan and Sanford I. Weill through the Weill Family Foundation. This gift is the largest ever made to veterinary medicine globally and will support UC Davis’ veterinary school, which is consistently ranked among the top in the world.
Following this contribution, the university has renamed its veterinary school as the University of California, Davis, Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.
“UC Davis is home to one of the world’s most outstanding veterinary schools and many of the brightest minds in animal and human medicine,” said Sanford “Sandy” I. Weill, a member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Board of Advisors. “We are proud to support an institution where groundbreaking research and compassionate care are prioritized together, and where discovery benefits both animal and human health.”
Chancellor Gary S. May commented on the impact: “By naming our veterinary school in Joan and Sandy’s honor, we celebrate their transformative generosity and lasting commitment to improve the health of all species. UC Davis is world-renowned for excellence in veterinary medicine, research and service. We are deeply grateful for Joan and Sandy’s vision and partnership to help us accelerate the great work taking place here.”
Dean Mark Stetter emphasized how this funding will change what is possible at UC Davis: “Joan and Sandy Weill’s extraordinary generosity will allow UC Davis to move faster, think bigger and rise to meet the most urgent challenges facing our world,” he said. “This gift empowers us to drive discoveries, expand access to world-class education and develop new insights at the intersection of veterinary and human health. It launches an exciting new era in veterinary medicine and provides the catalyst needed to advance the construction of our new hospital. With continued support from our philanthropic community, we can bring this vision to completion.”
Of the total gift amount, $80 million will be used for constructing a new small animal teaching hospital as part of a larger expansion plan for a Veterinary Medical Complex estimated at $750 million overall. The current facility cares for about 50,000 patients annually; with expansion it aims to serve up to 20,000 more animals each year across various specialties while enhancing research capabilities that benefit both animals and humans.
The remaining $40 million will fund fundamental clinical research projects—supporting early-stage ideas that may not receive traditional funding—and accelerating collaborative science initiatives.
Joan Weill explained her personal connection: “Angel’s care at UC Davis left a lasting impression on our family,” she said regarding their dog who was treated there after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2018. “As Sandy and I became more involved with the school over the years, we have been continually inspired by its leadership, dedication to team science, pursuit of solving complex health challenges, and its unwavering commitment to animals and families who love them. The faculty clinician scientists are among leading experts in what they do; supporting this extraordinary community is both meaningful and an honor.”
The couple’s involvement with UC Davis extends beyond philanthropy; Sandy Weill has served on advisory boards since 2014.
Shaun B. Keister added: “Joan and Sandy have been extraordinary champions for UC Davis… Their leadership over years has made a remarkable difference…”
The donation builds upon previous fundraising efforts by UC Davis’ veterinary school including recent campaigns such as “Limitless,” which aims to further expand facilities for education and primary care hospitals.
Joan and Sanford I. Weill have contributed more than $1.5 billion throughout their lives toward educational medical cultural institutions—including establishing partnerships like the Weill Neurohub (with multiple universities) focused on brain disease treatments—and were recently awarded the University of California Presidential Medal recognizing their contributions across public education systems.
