University of Arkansas Sees 40 Percent Increase in Private Giving During Past Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Defying the experiences of many U.S. universities and colleges, the University of Arkansas achieved a remarkable 40 percent increase in private giving during the recently completed fiscal year.

What makes this even more impressive is that the university realized the increase even though it is not engaged in a multiyear capital campaign.

During the 2011 fiscal year ending June 30, the University of Arkansas recorded $121.3 million in private gift support, exceeding by $21.3 million its $100 million goal. This total is a 40 percent increase over the $86.7 million private gift total received in the preceding fiscal year.

The campus recorded 77,406 outright gifts and new pledges from 42,430 benefactors during the 2011 fiscal year. Last year, 73,299 outright gifts and new pledges came from 41,650 benefactors, which were record numbers at the time.

“It has been an outstanding year at the University of Arkansas,” said Brad Choate, vice chancellor for university advancement. “This is the largest fundraising total reported outside of a capital campaign and the third largest ever at this institution. The remarkable philanthropy of our alumni, friends, staff, faculty, parents and students represents our university’s commitment to student success. According to the 2011 report by Giving USA, gifts to education rose by 5.2 percent in 2010, but many institutions are still facing challenges. We are very thankful that our university maintains its strong outcomes in private gift support, which we depend on for continued progress.”

The $121.3 million total includes outright gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and new pledges received from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011. Of this total, $38.5 million was designated to support athletics and the Razorback Foundation.

Cash receipts, which include pledge payments, outright gifts and estate and planned gift distributions, totaled $109.1 million compared to $89.1 million last year.

 “We often talk about the impact of private gift support by highlighting one student’s experience or by showcasing one department’s improvement,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “In fact, the impact is campuswide. Whether gifts are targeted for a specific purpose or are offered to support the university’s priorities as it sees fit, ultimately all students and programs benefit every day due to our benefactors’ generosity and commitment. I offer my deep appreciation to everyone who helped to make this year a phenomenal one.”

Of the $121.3 million raised for academic and athletic programs in 2010-11, 45 percent came from individual alumni, friends, faculty and staff, 34 percent came from corporations, 17 percent came from foundations and 4 percent came from other organizations. While 33 percent supported students and programs, 48 percent supported capital improvements, 15 percent supported faculty and staff and 4 percent supported other initiatives.

The non-endowed total was $99.1 million, and these funds were made available for current use. The remaining $22.2 million, or 18.2 percent, went toward the university’s endowment.

Private gift support is critical to ensure success for University of Arkansas students and faculty. Benefactors’ gifts have an impact on a wide variety of areas that improve students’ overall experience, including academic and need-based scholarships, classroom technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, and study abroad opportunities. Every effort is made to align donors’ gift interests with important campus priorities.