AU Raises $101.2M in 2005!!!!

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AU POSTS RECORD YEAR IN FUNDRAISING

AUBURN – Private giving to Auburn University rose to an all-time high of $101.2 million in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2005, topping the previous year’s total of $70 million.

Last year’s total is more than a 44 percent increase over the previous fiscal year’s earnings. Contributions were made by 30,661 donors, and the total represents both pledges, deferred and outright gifts. Sixteen donors gave individual gifts of more than $1 million. These gifts totaled $45 million, or 44 percent of the total giving for the year. An additional 28 percent of the fiscal year’s gifts were from donations of $100,000 to $999,999.

Money received through AU’s Annual Fund accounted for a portion of the remaining donations to the University. The Annual Fund also had a record year bringing in more than $2.1 million from 20,979 donors in the 2004-05 fiscal year. The Fund focuses on unrestricted gifts, which can be allocated by schools and colleges for their most immediate needs.

Of the $101 million contributed to the University last year, $34 million went to student support, $3 million to faculty, $7 million to facilities and $57 million to programmatic support.

AU is currently in the quiet phase of the “It Begins at Auburn” campaign. The public phase will begin in February 2006.

“The numbers we have seen this year are outstanding,” said interim AU President Ed Richardson. “We appreciate all the donors who see what Auburn is doing for young people and this state. Private donations are crucial to Auburn’s continued growth and improvement.”

“It is important we maintain a strong base of alumni, friends and other donors. I also want to thank those here at the University who have worked so tirelessly during this record-setting year to make this happen.”

Bob McGinnis, vice president for development, said he is impressed with the progress Auburn has seen during the past year, and he is ready to work harder to achieve even better results.

“These are the highest numbers we have ever seen, but we have more work to do,” said McGinnis. “We are thankful that people keep Auburn in their thoughts. I believe the trend of giving will continue and Auburn will see great things in its future. As the numbers keep rising, we keep reaching milestones.”

“Our team of deans, directors and development officers have provided Auburn University with an outstanding accomplishment. I thank them for their hard work and dedication,” stated McGinnis.

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

(Contributed by Stephanie Silk.)

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