Fundraising Efforts

Fundraising Efforts Receive International Accolades

University Advancement recently had an additional, and rather atypical, reason to thank all of its outstanding donors: personnel received the highly competitive 2019 Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). This international recognition, which represents a first for UF, reflects hard-earned efforts that resonated with many; more than 5,000 were eligible, and only 44 other institutions were Most Improved Fundraising Program Award winners.

A blind review of institutional data voluntarily submitted to CASE during the past three years was used to pinpoint and celebrate exemplary development programs. UF was specifically lauded for its program growth in areas such as major and planned gift increases, donor growth, alumni giving participation, and increased alumni and volunteer engagement. Tailored fundraising ideas aimed at cultivating a greater culture of giving have focused on meaningful interaction, individualistic endeavors, and fun activities.

“The support and involvement we have received in recent years to provide educational opportunities for our students, as well as support for other areas such as athletics, the arts, and even our animal population, has been phenomenal,” said Marcia Latta, Ed.D., vice president for University Advancement. “We are truly blessed to have such strong campus-wide backing, along with increased donor engagement from near and far.”

Successful UF fundraising initiatives have included:

• Major gift fundraising, which saw overall cash donations increase by 68%, and a 13% increase in UF’s endowment market value;

• Planned giving, in which the average gift size increased by 44%;

• Day of Giving, featuring the 2019 “Oiler Up, Give Back” campaign raised $100,565 (far surpassing $28,698 raised in 2018) and collected 584 gifts during a 24-hour period in March.

• 100% Oilers, the annual faculty and staff giving campaign that included 86.7% participation during 2017-18; and

• Graduating Class Gift Program, which garnered 247 financial gifts, handed out 225 cords to wear during commencement, and raised $5,077.