More than 130,000 donors gave a record-breaking $476 million in cash gifts and pledge payments in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
That was the year-end report Sept. 14 from Vice President for Development Jerry May, who provided an update on the Victors for Michigan campaign during a Board of Regents meeting.
“Michigan donors keep exceeding expectations,” May said. “Every time we set an ambitious goal, our donors soar beyond it.”
In April 2017, donors surpassed the $4 billion Victors for Michigan campaign mark. As of Aug. 31, donors had given a total of $4.24 billion for student support, engaged learning and bold ideas. More than 346,000 donors have contributed in the campaign so far, with 82 percent giving $1,000 or less.
Following May’s report, President Mark Schlissel took a moment to “recognize the support of each of the members of the Board of Regents during the Victors for Michigan campaign, including gifts for scholarships; medical research; music, arts and culture; global experiences; and diversity, equity and inclusion.”
The president said it was particularly gratifying “that each of the regents has made a commitment to support scholarships for our students” including all regents hosting an event next week at the home of Regent Shauna Ryder Diggs to raise funds for the Alumni Association’s LEAD Scholars program.
Just in the last year, the president said, Regent Ron Weiser and Eileen Weiser have made multiple gifts, including support for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, the Dearborn and Flint campuses, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and several areas of Michigan Medicine.
May also noted that there still are 16 months to go in the campaign, with plenty of needs to be met. The campaign is slightly short of the $1 billion goal designated for student support.
He said $376 million is needed to reach all of the campaign goals for every unit, and philanthropic efforts are underway to support the university’s multidisciplinary strategic priorities.
