The West Virginia University Foundation says alumni and friends of the University gave $85.7 million in cash and in-kind gifts between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, the fifth largest annual amount ever received in the Foundation’s 60-year history.
“Not surprising, alumni and friends of WVU stepped up again this past fiscal year,” said Cindi Roth, WVU Foundation president & CEO. “As I continue to meet our donors, what strikes me most is their passion and loyalty for their University, and their spirit of giving. On behalf of our Foundation team, I want to thank each of them for their generosity which is having such a positive, lasting impact across campus.”
Over the past fiscal year, 20,898 donors made 38,897 gifts. The contributions span all areas of the University, from academics to research, to health sciences to athletics.
“Our alumni and friends continue to be extremely generous,” said WVU President Gordon Gee. “Their investments are helping West Virginia University advance on the national and international stage in so many areas – research and discovery; supporting student scholarship and financial needs; attracting the best faculty, staff and students; and expanding our laboratories and classrooms. Our donors truly believe in their land-grant University and its role in making the American dream come true.”
The Foundation’s annual giving program – The University Fund – brought in nearly $18.9 million in FY14. Successful initiatives included the Pride Travel Fund in support of the WVU Marching Band, which donors gave $103,232, and the Solar House Fund, which brought in $110,528 to help support WVU’s Solar House Team.
Among major gifts received in FY14: $5 million from Ken and Randy Kendrick and the Koch Foundation to create a Center for Free Enterprise in the College of Business and Economics $3 million from John and Mary Anne Hardesty for scholarships; and $1.5 million from the Wehrle family and Wehrle Foundation for the College of Law expansion project and a supply chain management program at the College of Business and Economics.
In June 2012, the Foundation launched its largest comprehensive campaign in the history of the University, $750 million. Gifts received by the Foundation during FY14 go toward A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The next campaign achievement update will be announced in September. For more on the campaign, visit: www.astateofminds.com
Chartered in 1954, the WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of WVU.
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CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-284-4056; wnevin@wvuf.org
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