In August 2008, the University of California, Irvine Foundation decided to develop a multi-year strategic plan that aligns the Foundation with the university priorities and recommends strategies that will position the Foundation among the nation’s top public university-related foundations.

Trustee Hazem Chehabi was appointed chair of an ad-hoc Strategic Planning Committee which included Allen Chao, Chancellor Michael V. Drake, Provost Michael Gottfredson, Chair James Mazzo, Paul Merage, President Tom Mitchell, and Ted Smith.

With the assistance of Grenzebach Glier + Associates, the committee conducted dozens of interviews with Trustees and campus leaders, studied successful Foundations across the country, and ultimately developed recommendations for positioning the Foundation as a national leader by 2015.

On October 29, 2009, the Foundation’s 2015 Strategic Plan was approved by the board of trustees.  Successful implementation of the plan, including the completion of specific milestones on an annual basis, continues to be a core focus of the board leadership.