MSU Foundation raises record $15M in fiscal '09

Missouri State University Foundation has topped the $15 million donation mark for the first time, the school announced yesterday.

During fiscal 2009, which ended June 30, the school raised $15,044,534, with a monthly average of more than $1.25 million. That annual amount surpasses the previous record, raised in 2007-08, by $1 million.

"We are very pleased with the great year, especially in these hard economic times," said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, in a news release. "We celebrate the impact of the gifts on our students and the many programs at our university."

Funds raised each year are used to further MSU's goals to increase student access to education and to recruit and maintain quality faculty members. In the past four years, the school has raised more than $1 million each month on average.

"The donors of Missouri State University understand the importance of education in this and every economic environment," said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel in the release. "Their extreme generosity this year demonstrates their great confidence in the university and its faculty, staff and programs. We are grateful for the continued support, and we will continue to be good stewards of the money that has been donated to Missouri State."

Since its creation in 1981, the foundation has received $145 million in outright gifts that already are being used. An additional $40 million in deferred gifts - in trusts, annuities, life insurance and other instruments - will come to the university at a later date.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education recognition recently recognized the university for its fundraising success with the 2009 CASE WealthEngine Award for educational fundraising, part of its Circle of Excellence Program.