Big Boost in Donor Giving

NC State painted a silver lining on the economic storm clouds that have cast a shadow over campus for the past couple of years, reporting a 19 percent increase in fundraising this year over 2010. The university received gifts and pledges totaling nearly $107 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, a sharp increase over last year’s total of $89 million.

Gift receipts, an important measure of “cash in the door,” rose 22 percent over 2010.

Nevin Kessler, vice chancellor for university advancement, said the dramatic growth in giving was driven by the hard work of fundraisers and communicators across campus, as well as volunteers supporting the university’s many foundations and advisory boards.

“NC State had a terrific year in fundraising,” he said in a message to campus. “I’m thrilled.”

Poole Leads in Giving

Seven of the university’s 10 colleges boasted significant increases in giving, as did Arts NC State. The Poole College of Management’s performance soared more than 1500 percent, thanks to last year’s transformational donation by Lonnie and Carol Poole. Both the College of Design and the College of Education saw donations more than double in 2011.

Kessler praised the annual giving program for raising $1.38 million, a 41 percent increase over last year. And he lauded a nearly 50 percent jump in the number of alumni donors, a measure tracked by U.S. News in the magazine’s annual ratings issue.

Giving Supports Endowment

Gifts and commitments to the university’s endowment topped $41 million this year, helping to fuel a 139 percent increase in the fund over two years. That’s particularly good news for Chancellor Randy Woodson, who has made the growth of the endowment a major priority.

Kessler said the chancellor and his wife, Susan, spent countless hours reaching out to university supporters and donors over the past year.