University Exceeds $103 Million Fundraising Goal

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – As the University of Arkansas prepares for its next comprehensive fundraising campaign, momentum continues to build among university supporters.

During the 2012 fiscal year ending June 30, the University of Arkansas recorded $108.1 million in private gift support, surpassing its goal of $103 million. This is the first time the university exceeded $100 million in fundraising totals for two consecutive years. During fiscal year 2011, $121.3 million in private gifts were secured.

The campus recorded 82,582 outright gifts and new pledges from 46,063 benefactors during the 2012 fiscal year.

“In 2011, charitable giving rose by less than 1 percent nationally, reminding us that our country continues to face economic challenges,” said Brad Choate, vice chancellor for university advancement. “We are deeply appreciative of the many alumni, friends, organizations, faculty and staff members who continue to include the university in their philanthropic decisions. This is the second-largest fundraising year for the University of Arkansas outside of a comprehensive campaign, and that speaks volumes. The Arkansas family truly understands the need for private gift support and the impact it has on our students and the campus overall.”

The $108.1 million total includes outright gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and new pledges received from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. Of this total, $26.2 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 $97.5 million compared to $109.1 million the previous year.

“If you walk around our campus, it’s easy to see what gifts can do,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “Several ongoing capital projects were made possible by private gift support. Many of our students would not be here if it were not for scholarships and fellowships funded by private gifts. Privately supported programs are added each year that greatly enhance students’ academic and extracurricular activities. When our benefactors choose to make a gift to our university, they are improving students’ lives and securing the future of our institution. Each gift makes a difference, and we cannot express our gratitude enough.”

Of the $108.1 million raised for academic and athletic programs in 2011-12:

• 31 percent came from individual alumni, friends, faculty and staff;

• 35 percent came from corporations

• 26 percent came from foundations

• 8 percent came from other organizations.

While 35 percent of the donations supported students and programs, 46 percent supported capital improvements, 12 percent supported faculty and staff and 7 percent supported other initiatives.

The non-endowed total was $95.8 million, and these funds were made available for current use. The remaining $12.2 million, or 11.3 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.