Once again, the University of New Mexico Foundation (UNMF) has set a new record. Despite the economy, during fiscal year 2008-2009, UNMF brought $90,045,942.01 in total giving. Every penny received represents a celebrated achievement and a step forward in funding the growing needs of the University and its many ongoing initiatives. In addition, UNMF expects to pay out to UNM approximately $15.2 million from the endowment benefiting the University.
These numbers represent a 5.3 percent increase in giving from $85.5 million in 2007-2008, and a 7.8 percent increase from the 2007-2008 endowment payout of $14.1 million. The UNMF has increased its fund raising annually since fiscal year 2003-04.
“The alumni and friends of the University of New Mexico certainly stepped up to the plate this fiscal year, showing that the community indeed values the education and service that UNM provides,” said UNM Foundation Board of Trustee Chair Anne Yegge. “Nearly 17,000 donors helped us create this record-setting year, and we are truly grateful to them.”
UNM President David J. Schmidly noted, “Many people don’t realize that while UNM is a state university, it receives only about 18.5 percent of its funding from the state. Receiving private funds from the UNM Foundation is crucial in maintaining and growing the quality education, research and health care we provide for New Mexico citizens.”
“This momentous achievement of a new record is especially commendable given the tough economy,” said John Stropp, UNM Foundation President. “I congratulate our team of development officers and our University colleagues who stayed diligently on-task until the last possible moment.”
The generosity of donors to UNM affects all aspects of the University including: student scholarships, the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty and the funding of vital research and development of technological advances in healthcare.
For example, fund raising is ongoing for the UNM Presidential Scholarship Program. This exceptional program, founded in 1976, provides full, four-year scholarships for approximately 450 of New Mexico’s brightest each year. These scholarships, which require a $2,000 annual sponsorship make it possible for students from around the state to engage in degree programs ranging from journalism to nuclear engineering.
One current Presidential Scholar, Heather Radosevich, says, “The Presidential Scholarship has allowed me to focus entirely on my education without the burden of wondering how I will afford my schooling.” Mike Emerson, who serves as the UNM Foundation’s development committee chair, with his wife Kathy Naassan, created an endowment to the program and believes, “The Presidential Scholarship Program allows us to provide the support that students need to be successful.”
For more information on how you can give to UNM, please contact the UNM Foundation, Inc. by calling (505) 277-4503 or by visiting www.unmfund.org.
The UNM Foundation located in Albuquerque, NM promotes excellence at the University of New Mexico by raising, investing and managing private gifts through the cultivation of long-term partnerships with donors and matching their interests to the University's priorities. As an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Foundation provides donors the opportunity and appropriate tax advantage for supporting University projects and programs. All fundraising and investment activities of the Foundation are limited to benefiting the University of New Mexico. The Foundation assets and earnings are distributed to colleges, departments and programs of the University per donor directions or, if funds are unrestricted, per the direction of the Foundation's volunteer Board of Trustees in response to UNM's priorities.
Posted by scarr at August 27, 2009 03:53 PM