University of Arkansas Ranked 190 Among Top 400 Fund-Raisers in United States

        ^{The Philanthropy 400, published in the Oct. 27 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, shows the University of Arkansas ranking among the most successful fund-raising organizations in the nation alongside the World Wildlife Federation and universities such as Baylor College of Medicine, University of Maryland at College Park and University of California at Davis. In the 2004 compilation of the Philanthropy 400, the University of Arkansas was ranked 22nd, due to the receipt of a $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation in FY 2003. The 2003 Philanthropy 400 rankings placed the University of Arkansas at the 211th spot on the list. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, overall support of education, which includes support to colleges and universities, was down 4.4 percent in FY 2004 from the previous fiscal year.}

^{The Chronicle of Philanthropy is a bimonthly newspaper reporting on issues of the nonprofit world, and is a news source targeted to charity leaders, fund-raisers, grant makers and other people involved in philanthropic enterprises.}

^{The publication gathered financial data from nonprofit organizations to determine which organizations raised the most from individuals, foundations and corporations annually. Among the top 400 earners in the 2004 ranking, 126 were colleges and universities, both public and private. This year, the Chronicle of Philanthropy changed its methodology by asking organizations with branch offices and affiliates to consolidate reporting so some organizations fell off the list. For example, the United Way consolidated the fund-raising results of all its 1,350 local affiliates and jumped to the No. 1 spot on the list.}

^{“There are thousands of philanthropies across the United States and the mere fact that support to the University of Arkansas garners a spot among the 400 most successful organizations in terms of philanthropic support is really astounding,” said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement. “We remain grateful to everyone who chooses to support the University of Arkansas.”}

^{Overall, 11 of the 12 universities in the Southeastern Conference earned slots on The Chronicle’s list:}

 ^{190. University of Arkansas
 107. University of Florida 
 120. University of Tennessee System 
 123. Vanderbilt 
 245. University of Georgia 
 251. University of Kentucky 
 262. Mississippi State University 
 273. Auburn University 
 300. University of Mississippi 
 310. University of South Carolina 
 347. University of Alabama}
 

Laura H. Jacobs, director, Office of University Relations
(479) 575-5555 or laura@uark.edu