West Virginia University’s pocketbook is a little fuller these days because of recent donor generosity.
The WVU Foundation, WVU’s fundraising arm, said $177 million was donated during the recently completed July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019, fiscal year, a total second only to $196.8 million raised by the university during the 2012 fiscal year.
“With continuing financial pressures on state-supported institutions, private support from alumni and friends of West Virginia University has never been more important,” WVU President Gordon Gee said in a statement. “I am constantly humbled by the generosity of our supporters. At the same time, I am encouraged there are new friends who are just learning the excellence of this institution and what it has to offer.”
For the recent fiscal year, the foundation said 20,857 donors — including 10,232 alumni — made 42,116 gifts to the university. That total includes 27 donors who gave $1 million or more to the university earmarked for academics, research, health sciences and athletics.
The foundation said among the major financial gifts given during the recent fiscal year were a $4 million donation from the estate of Emil Czul for students attending the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, as well as $2.3 million from the late Forest D. Coontz for undergraduate scholarships.
Nearly 70%, or around $123 million of the total raised, will go to scholarships and fellowships, the foundation said. The foundation staff raised $39 million in bequest intentions, while estate and trust gifts totaled $11 million. More than 1,700 corporations made new gifts and pledges of $61 million, while 119 foundations donated $21 million.
“We are blessed to have incredible people who support WVU, said B.J. Davisson, executive vice president and chief development officer, said. “These investments help our students, faculty and staff achieve in ways that would not otherwise be possible.”
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