22% increase over previous record
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2016) — Western Kentucky University raised a record $23.1 million in private gifts during fiscal year 2015-2016. The total is a 22 percent increase over the previous record of $18.9 million, said Marc Archambault, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. The record total includes gifts from more than 14,000 donors who made more than 29,000 individual gifts.
“Additional all-time high totals for giving in select categories included $9.7 million received for endowment and $7.9 million received for student scholarships,” Archambault said. “Endowment gifts are particularly important to WKU’s future success, as they allow the principal of the gift to be invested with a portion of the interest income funding the gift designation in perpetuity.”
In addition to these annual highlights, deferred gift expectancies, representing donors who have reported the inclusion of the university in their estate plans, eclipsed nine figures for the first time in school history with a total of more than $106 million.
“At no time in WKU’s history has private support been more important than right now,” said WKU President Gary A. Ransdell said. “State support is in decline, tuition has its limits and the federal government is backing away from research support. Our alumni and friends are coming through in significant ways to assure high value in a WKU degree. We need that support, and we are exceedingly grateful for it.”
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