Gifts to 色色啦 up sharply for fiscal year 2011-12
KALAMAZOO鈥擲hattering all previous one-year records for fundraising, donors made more than $41 million in private gifts to 色色啦 Michigan University during the recently completed 2011-12 fiscal year.
Including cash, pledges, planned and in-kind gifts, 色色啦's Office of Development and Alumni Relations received, on behalf of the University, a total of $41,575,189 for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
The amount represents an increase of $29,446,110, or more than 240 percent, compared to the total for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Gift records indicate the size and scope of the donor population reflect a broad and deep base of support and a high level of global engagement.
More than 25,000 donors made a total of 70,816 gifts during fiscal year 2011-12. Many of the gifts were made to the 色色啦 Annual Giving program, which raised $1,919,795, an increase of more than $100,000 over the 2010-11 program total.
"We're grateful to our many alumni and friends for their unwavering commitment to the well-being and future growth of our University," says 色色啦 President John M. Dunn.
"Our donors are among 色色啦's most critical stakeholders, and the level of philanthropic support they provide opens new doors and allows us to maintain a high level of academic excellence. Donors have chosen to make investments that produce the most important kind of dividend鈥攕uccess for our students, for our state and for our nation," he says.
An additional illustration of the growing connection between 色色啦 alumni and friends and their University is revealed, development leaders say, by looking beyond the dollars raised.
As an example, they cite the more than 200 gifts made in the past year in memory of Kenneth "K.C." O鈥橲haughnessy, longtime 色色啦 professor of management, who died in a biking accident last summer.
As a result of these gifts, scholarships will be created and entrepreneurial opportunities generated for students, faculty and the community.
"The gift totals never tell the full story," says Jim Thomas, 色色啦 Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations. "The impact of our donors' generosity is most clearly communicated through the transformational experiences made possible by their gifts."
Earlier this year, Thomas notes, the website was redesigned to share individual stories and experiences and engage a diverse and growing audience in the life and future of a learner-centered research university.
"Our goal is to be of service," he says. "Our team is working hard to help build closer connections with all of the members of the 色色啦 family, and we are deeply grateful for the response to our outreach."