NEW CHANCELLOR’S SOCIETY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE PHILANTHROPIC GIVING TO UNIVERSITY WHILE RECOGNIZING DONORS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas National Development Council (NDC) has recommended an expanded Chancellor’s Society as a way to encourage greater participation and provide appropriate recognition for all donors who make significant annual contributions to any area of campus. The NDC is a volunteer organization that supports and advises the University in developing, enhancing and strengthening its academic and research programs.

Founded in 1989 with the assistance of the NDC and the vice chancellor for University Advancement, the purpose of the Chancellor’s Society’s was to raise revenue to support fund-raising efforts. At that time, donors could become members by making a $1,000 annual gift to the Chancellor’s Society Fund.

Now, Chancellor’s Society membership is open to all alumni and friends of the University of Arkansas who make a gift or gifts totaling $2,000 within a fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Gifts may be directed to any college, school, department, program or any other area (besides men’s athletics), or to the Chancellor’s Society Fund.

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement G. David Gearhart said, "Chancellor’s Society members are among the University of Arkansas’ most generous and loyal benefactors. These alumni and friends have an immeasurable impact on the University, its students, faculty and staff. The Chancellor’s Society Fund serves as one of the most significant means by which the University can stay competitive by providing a base of much-needed support that allows us to continue our efforts to seek, and increase, private gift support."

"Over the coming months, we will be asking benefactors who have made qualifying gifts this fiscal year to accept our invitation to become members of the Chancellor’s Society. Benefactors may also contact us directly to accept membership," Gearhart continued.

In addition, the expanded Chancellor’s Society will encourage the philanthropic involvement of students and young alumni, who may become members at a special rate. Current students or graduates within the last five years may qualify for membership with $500 total annual giving. Graduates within the last six to 10 years qualify for membership with $1,000 total annual giving.

Gearhart said, "We recognized a nationwide trend of the increasing philanthropic activity of younger people and wanted to seek ways of engaging them with the University of Arkansas. Many of our young alumni are quite successful and are already giving back to the University through annual gifts. Philanthropy begins at an early age and membership to the Chancellor’s Society is a way to foster this activity."

In addition to the satisfaction of making a difference in UA academics and academic support programs, members of the Chancellor’s Society are acknowledged in University publications, receive campus updates from the Chancellor and notice of campus happenings and are invited to a special Chancellor’s Society event each fall. They also receive a special custom designed memento to designate each year of membership in the Society.

Chancellor’s Society membership is managed by the University of Arkansas Annual Fund. For more information, visit the Annual Fund Web site, http://pigtrail.uark.edu/annualfund.