End of the Year Report: University of Arkansas Announces 2004 Fund-Raising Results

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas celebrated the close of a successful fund-raising year on June 30, 2004, recording $83.3 million in private gift support.

The total includes actual dollars or gifts-in-kind received during the fiscal period July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004, and excludes any pledges of gifts made during that time. Last year, FY03, the University of Arkansas raised a record-breaking $365 million due to the receipt of a $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

The $83.3 million includes two major areas:

1. $70.8 million raised for academic and academic support programs, including women's athletics.

2. $12.5 million from the Razorback Foundation Inc., a private organization that supports men's athletics.

UA Chancellor John A. White said: "We are extremely grateful to the thousands of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations who share a common desire to move the University of Arkansas into the upper ranks of the nation's public universities. The outpouring of private gift support from our family of donors affirms and enhances our standing as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world."

Of the $83.3 million raised for academic and athletic programs in 2003-2004, 13 percent came from individual alumni and friends, 76 percent came from corporations and foundations, and 11 percent came from planned gifts such as bequests.

"We're grateful for the continued private gift support of our alumni and friends, and I'd like to thank the hundreds of individuals and corporations who made thousands of gifts and pledges toward the Campaign this year," said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement. "We are very pleased with the Campaign's progress. There is work yet to be done, but we're confident of our success due in large part to our stellar group of volunteer leaders, our devoted deans and their fund-raising leadership, a hard-working staff and supportive faculty and the allure of raising funds for a worthy and noble cause - the improvement of the University of Arkansas across the board.

"I believe that we're beginning to feel the effects of the stock market coming around, and our benefactors are able to realize their philanthropic interests," Gearhart said. "We've received many gifts in the $1-10 million range.

"Now, during the final year of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, we are stepping up our efforts to meet our goals for the Campaign and The Challenge. We are providing an opportunity for everyone to participate and make a pledge to this historic campaign."

Gift designations for 2003-2004:

Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the Division of Agriculture: $10,744,838

School of Architecture: $5,574,921

J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: $5,219,087

Sam M. Walton College of Business: $22,773,086

College of Education and Health Professions: $3,000,218

College of Engineering: $3,744,718

School of Law: $1,263,479

Graduate School: $324,363

Honors College: $261,635

Gifts to other units:

Men's Athletics (Razorback Foundation Inc.): $12,515,425

Alumni Association: $378,472

Chancellor's Scholarships: $2,533,234

KUAF Public Radio: $929,722

General Scholarships: $4,087,214

Student Affairs: $2,213,820

University of Arkansas Press: $17,548

University Libraries: $293,115

University Wide: $4,304,080

University/Razorback Bands: $233,153

Women's Athletics: $2,695,155

Continuing Education: $1,670

Private gift support 1998-2004:

Campaign for the Twenty-First Century report:

Since July 1, 1998, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century has been raising gifts and pledges to help the University achieve its vision for the 21st century. Campaign funds are being raised for six critical areas of need: endowed faculty positions and scholarship funds, academic programs, University Libraries, new and enhanced academic facilities and equipment and annual giving.

As of June 30, 2004, the Campaign total stands at $830 million in gifts and pledges, which accounts for 92 percent of the $900 million goal in 86 percent of the time. The Campaign will conclude June 30, 2005. Frank Broyles, director of men's athletics, was the presiding co-chair of the campaign during FY04. He succeeded Jim Walton, chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Group Inc. Rob Walton, chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. served as the first presiding co-chair. Tommy Boyer, owner and CEO of Micro Images of Amarillo, Texas, who served as co-chair between 2000-2002, returns to the post for the final year of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. Johnelle Hunt has served as campaign treasurer for the duration of the drive.

Of the $900 million goal, $300 million must be raised exclusively for academic support - a condition of receiving the Walton Foundation's $300 million gift - as part of The $300 Million Challenge. The Challenge total stands at $194.3 million; therefore, an additional $105.7 million must be raised for academics and academic support programs by June 30, 2005.

Of the $830 million in pledges committed to the Campaign since 1998, $500.6 million, or 60 percent, was designated by donors for the University's endowment. The endowment acts like a permanent savings account to provide a perpetual source of income for such purposes like student scholarships, faculty chairs and academic programs.