University of Arkansas Exceeds Fundraising Goal; Raises $131.6 Million

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Students show their gratitude to donors who have supported the University of Arkansas.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas finished the 2016 fiscal year with $131.6 million in private gift support, making it the third-best year in the university’s fundraising history.

“Private gift support continues to be critically important to our campus as it adds to the academic opportunities available to our faculty, staff and students,” said Chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “We are in an excellent position for entering the public phase of Campaign Arkansas and look forward to sharing the progress we’ve made.”

The amount of private gift support in 2016 surpassed the university’s goal of $115 million and included gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and new pledges to the U of A received from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016.

“This has been a tremendous year for the university,” said Mark Power, interim vice chancellor for university advancement. “We are gaining momentum as we draw closer to the public launch of Campaign Arkansas, and excitement is growing. Our alumni and friends, faculty and staff have truly gone above and beyond this year and have shown incredible support for all aspects of the student experience. These contributions will enhance everything from academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, to study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs.”

Approximately $19.2 million of the total amount raised, or nearly 15 percent, was allocated for endowed funds and will add to the university’s overall endowment total.

Cash receipts, which include pledge payments, outright gifts and estate and planned gift distributions, reached $103.5 million in fiscal year 2016.

“This year’s success has truly been a team effort,” Steinmetz said. “Our advancement team has worked diligently with our faculty and staff, and our benefactors have stepped up by supporting the areas they care about deeply. ‘All in for Arkansas’ – the inaugural giving day we hosted this spring – did a fantastic job of creating excitement about philanthropy and letting our donors know that gifts of all sizes make a difference on our campus.”

Gifts from individuals such as alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff made up nearly a third – 32 percent – of the $131.6 million raised during the 2016 fiscal year. Another 35 percent came from corporations, while 26 percent came from foundations and 7 percent came from other organizations, including trusts and estates. All private gifts to the university are designated and allocated for specific purposes set forth by each donor and used solely for those purposes. The university makes every effort to align donors’ giving interests with campus priorities.

Support for students and programs accounted for 41 percent of the money raised, 41 percent provided for capital improvements, 12 percent supported faculty and staff and 6 percent supported other initiatives. The campus brought in a record-setting 98,464 outright gifts and new pledges from 52,737 benefactors during the fiscal year.

“As an alumnus and parent of three alumni, I am very pleased to see the strong showing of support the university has garnered this year,” said Reynie Rutledge of Searcy, chair of the UA System Board of Trustees and the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee. “The University of Arkansas is the state’s flagship, and it’s imperative that we continue to give back to the next generation of students. When the university excels, our entire state benefits. I send my congratulations to the Division of University Advancement and the entire university community on a job well done this year.”

Fundraising totals reached $108.1 million in 2012, $108.4 million in 2013, $113.3 million in 2014 and $116.5 million in 2015.

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the University of Arkansas’ capital campaign that seeks to continue the transformation started by the billon-dollar Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. It is currently in the organizational phase and will go public in September 2016.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.