Philanthropy dollars and donor numbers up in FY 2016

July 18, 2016 | News, UToday, Advancement, Alumni
By Meghan Cunningham



The administration’s increased focus on fundraising to support University of Toledo initiatives has resulted in more donors and increased philanthropy this year.

At the end of fiscal year 2016, a total of 11,131 donors have given $18.4 million to the University. It is an increase in donors of nearly 17 percent over the 9,520 who gave last year and an increase of nearly 11 percent above the $16.5 million received the previous year.

President Sharon L. Gaber and Vice President for Advancement Samuel McCrimmon spoke at the annual donor recognition event in May. More than 200 University benefactors attended the event, which was held in their honor. In addition, the Frank E. Horton Presidents Club Scholarship was awarded to three students.

President Sharon L. Gaber and Vice President for Advancement Samuel McCrimmon spoke at the annual donor recognition event in May. More than 200 University benefactors attended the event, which was held in their honor. In addition, the Frank E. Horton Presidents Club Scholarship was awarded to three students.

“Philanthropy is key for ensuring a strong future for the University as we strive to increase the number of student scholarships, create endowed professorships and chairs to help recruit faculty who are leaders in their fields, and ensure campus facilities best serve our students and researchers,” said Sam McCrimmon, vice president for advancement. “With President Sharon Gaber’s support, we will continue to work diligently to increase funding to benefit our students and University community.”

The strong fundraising year coincides with the first year of leadership under Gaber, who lists an increase in fundraising among her top five goals for the institution.

It also is the first year of the new Division of Advancement. Led by McCrimmon, who joined the University in September, the division merged together UT’s Institutional Advancement Division and its External Affairs Division. The Division of Advancement includes Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing and Communications, and Special Events.

Among the strategies to increase support for the University has been a campaign to engage alumni with their alma mater. The first Giving Tuesday Campaign included a total of 156 donors giving $56,083 to UT. Giving Tuesday is the day designated across the country as an opportunity to give back following the shopping frenzies of Black Friday and Cyber Monday just after the Thanksgiving holiday.

In response to the Giving Tuesday campaign, which featured 123 alumni among the 156 donors, and other efforts, UT experienced a 1 percent increase in alumni participation this year.

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