Missouri State University recently completed an outstanding year for receiving donations and gifts. The university’s longtime chief fundraising officer, Brent Dunn, knows how important it will be for a repeat performance.
Donation Numbers
The university’s fiscal year ended on June 30, and the university reported that the foundation had received $49,286,346 in donations, including gifts, estate gifts, and pledges. The number of donors increased by more than 1,000, with 20,735 donors giving more than $31 million in cash and in-kind gifts.
The foundation handled a total of 98,661 gifts and awarded more than $5 million in private scholarships to students. This marks the third time the university has received more than $30 million in cash contributions across a fiscal year.
Factors Contributing to Success
Part of the reason for the success can be attributed to Missouri State joining Conference USA. The change has given the university more exposure and national broadcast opportunities. In November, the university announced three separate, anonymous, seven-figure donations for supporting the football team.
The construction of the Clifton M. Smart University Advancement Center also helped bring in donations from alumni. The total amount of gifts for the center, including those received before the fiscal year started, is more than $10 million.
Future Plans
Dunn begins his final year in his position knowing the importance of a similar successful fundraising effort. The university in June set a budget for the current fiscal year that reflects reduced funding from the state.
The foundation is already a critical part of a planned locker room upgrade inside McDonald Arena for the football team. Designers hired earlier this year are expected to make a construction recommendation to the board in a few months.
The foundation also has recently approved a five-year strategic plan that sets some goals and prepares the university to go into a bigger fundraising campaign similar to Onward Upward, which raised $274 million over five years.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
