Measured both in dollars and donors, the University of North Carolina Wilmington experienced growth in financial support during the fiscal year, which ended June 30, the university announced Thursday.

According to a news release, alumni, students, friends, faculty and staff members, combined with other individuals, raised nearly $12 million in gifts and pledges to support the university’s academic, athletic, research and community outreach priorities.

University spokeswoman Dana Fischetti said that many supporters gave more during the 2011-12 campaign than during the previous year.

Contributions from students increased by more than 117 percent over fiscal 2010-11; parent contributions increased 41 percent, and gifts and pledges from members of the faculty and staff increased 7 percent.

The number of alumni who made contributions to UNCW during the fiscal year went up by nearly 6 percent.

"About 10,800 individual donors contributed to UNCW last year because they believe in our mission and share our values,” Chancellor Gary L. Miller said in a news release. “They invested in our people -- students, faculty and staff – and programs to enhance the journey of learning that UNCW excels at providing.”

The higher level of giving in 2011-12 can be attributed in part to the Campaign for UNCW, which was still in progress through half of the fiscal year and wrapped up at the end of January more than $1 million over its $65 million goal.

Gifts received during recently ended fiscal year established two professorships, three fellowships and 23 scholarships.

UNCW receives approximately 36 percent of its operating budget from the state, the news release said. The remainder comes from student tuition and fees, gifts from individual and corporate donors, foundations and grants for research and scholarship, and from other operating revenues.