Gifts to the University during 1997-98 totaled $84.8 million, nearly matching the record gift total of $85.1 million set two years ago. With the addition of $85.5 million in private grants, the University’s total private support for 1997-98 amounted to a record-breaking $170.3 million.
‘The majority of gifts to the University—nearly 55 percent—come from individuals. Last year, $21.6 million was contributed by alumni. Another $18.5 million was given by faculty, staff, or friends and $6.2 million came from estates. Such generosity is increasingly important to sustaining the quality of the University, observes Vice President for Development Marilyn Dunn. “Gifts help us to retain top faculty, provide scholarships or fellowships to great students, support research, and serve the people who depend on us to be an outstanding university.”
This fall, the UW will launch its first-ever comprehensive Annual Fund campaign by asking all alumni, friends and faculty to make a gift. “People can still support the program or programs that mean the most to them through the UW Annual Fund,” says Dunn. “The Annual Fund is an umbrella fund in which participation plays the leading role in benefiting the entire University. Deans, department chairs or other UW administrators will have immediate access to these funds to help make their programs stronger. And, of course, we will encourage support for the UW Annual Fund every year. We’re a great public university, and we can be even better with help each year from our alumni and friends.”