Universities lose fundraising dollars
Andrew Fergerson
Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: Campus
The economy is affecting everyone. Even those who are willing to give.
Many Flint colleges, including Kettering University, Mott Community College and UM-Flint have lost millions of dollars in fundraising and gift revenue.
UM-Flint is down 13 percent in individual gift giving, according to Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations Scott Bertschy.
Bertschy believes there are a few outlying reasons why the numbers are down. “The first is the economy, which makes it difficult for people to give right now,” Bertschy said. “We are trying to be sensitive toward that.”
“We have really about three types of fundraising contributions,” Bertschy said. “The first is annual, which support the current operations of the school. Capital, which is focused toward building endowments. And the third is planned, which focus on trust and bequest money.”
Despite the low fundraising, Bertschy said it is not a major concern. “We planned our numbers to be down,” Bertschy said. “That is the more significant reason for the low contribution numbers is the timing of our fundraising campaigns. We are currently in a period between campaigns, which ultimately drives the overall contributions.”
Despite the 13 percent drop in individual gift giving, the total fundraising was up from $2.5 million in 2008 to $8.5 million in 2009. The reason for this was because of a $6 million estate gift from the late Dorothea E. Wyatt, who named the University of Michigan Board of Regents a remainderman of her estate. The gift was used to benefit the department of history.
Bertschy does not know what the future holds yet. “We are probably about two or three years away from bringing the numbers back up,” Bertschy said. “The University is in the throes of strategic thinking and master planning. But we have no specific projects identified yet.”
Some of the issues Bertschy is facing involve Student Life. “We have a range of need that will be discussed,” Bertschy said. “These involve facilities to enhance student living as well as endowment support for academic resources. One question we face is as we focus on being more residential, what is the focus on endowment needs will be part of the planning process? Our office is working toward the next big initiative,” Bertschy said. “We have a lot going on behind the scenes. The next generation of students will realize the benefit of what we do now.”
“It’s a very exciting time to be a part of the campus and the city of Flint,” Bertschy said. “There’s more to come.”
Andrew can be reached at afergers@umflint.edu.
Many Flint colleges, including Kettering University, Mott Community College and UM-Flint have lost millions of dollars in fundraising and gift revenue.
UM-Flint is down 13 percent in individual gift giving, according to Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations Scott Bertschy.
Bertschy believes there are a few outlying reasons why the numbers are down. “The first is the economy, which makes it difficult for people to give right now,” Bertschy said. “We are trying to be sensitive toward that.”
“We have really about three types of fundraising contributions,” Bertschy said. “The first is annual, which support the current operations of the school. Capital, which is focused toward building endowments. And the third is planned, which focus on trust and bequest money.”
Despite the low fundraising, Bertschy said it is not a major concern. “We planned our numbers to be down,” Bertschy said. “That is the more significant reason for the low contribution numbers is the timing of our fundraising campaigns. We are currently in a period between campaigns, which ultimately drives the overall contributions.”
Despite the 13 percent drop in individual gift giving, the total fundraising was up from $2.5 million in 2008 to $8.5 million in 2009. The reason for this was because of a $6 million estate gift from the late Dorothea E. Wyatt, who named the University of Michigan Board of Regents a remainderman of her estate. The gift was used to benefit the department of history.
Bertschy does not know what the future holds yet. “We are probably about two or three years away from bringing the numbers back up,” Bertschy said. “The University is in the throes of strategic thinking and master planning. But we have no specific projects identified yet.”
Some of the issues Bertschy is facing involve Student Life. “We have a range of need that will be discussed,” Bertschy said. “These involve facilities to enhance student living as well as endowment support for academic resources. One question we face is as we focus on being more residential, what is the focus on endowment needs will be part of the planning process? Our office is working toward the next big initiative,” Bertschy said. “We have a lot going on behind the scenes. The next generation of students will realize the benefit of what we do now.”
“It’s a very exciting time to be a part of the campus and the city of Flint,” Bertschy said. “There’s more to come.”
Andrew can be reached at afergers@umflint.edu.
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