For the fifth consecutive year, the Kansas University Endowment has set a new plateau for receiving private donations in support of KU and the KU Hospital, officials reported Tuesday.

The total hit $156.5 million in gifts and future commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, and set a new record in the number of people who contributed — 46,257.

“This new record is evidence that our alumni and friends are inspired by the priorities outlined in the Far Above campaign,” said Dale Seuferling, president of KU Endowment. “We are grateful for their visionary giving.”

Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas was publicly started in April with a $1.2 billion goal. More than half of that amount has been raised, and the campaign is scheduled to conclude in 2016.

The campaign’s priorities including educating future leaders, advancing medicine, accelerating discoveries and driving economic growth by providing scholarships, fellowships and other financial assistance to students.

The $156.5 million during the last fiscal year topped the previous high of $153.2 million the year before, officials said.

The fifth straight record year shows leadership and hard work, Drue Jennings, chairman of the Board of Trustees of KU Endowment, said. “But most of all, it takes generous people who want to partner with us to create a better future,” Jennings said.

KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little praised the generous spirit of donors, saying, “Their generosity will change the lives of our students and the countless people served by our university.”

Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of KU Hospital, said he was pleased that donations to the hospital contributed to the fiscal year’s results. “We look forward to our continued partnership with KU Endowment and playing a role in the success of the Far Above campaign,” he said.

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university. The KU Hospital is a partner in philanthropy with KU Endowment.

Here is the amount donors have given for each of the last five years.

2008 — $94 million

2009 — $106.4 million

2010 — $122.4 million

2011 — $153.2 million

2012 — $156.5 million