Ball State University received a record $18.1 million in cash gift donations during the 2004-05 fiscal year, which will benefit both annual and endowed scholarships as well as the football stadium. Non-cash gifts, bonds, securities, private monies and properties created the astounding record. “Ball State students, faculty and programs are benefiting from the monies being donated,” Don Park, vice president for university advancement, said.Private cash gifts are supplying funds for more than 600 scholarships, including 10 Whitinger Scholarships, which provide a full ride for students. Faculty was able to create more than 1,000 funds out of the donations to assist with seminars, lectureships, professional speakers and various summer courses. Charles Jaggers, executive director of university development, said there are two reasons for the growth in donations among Alumni. “We are broadening our appeals from general to more specific ones and soliciting to a broader audience among our alumni,” he said. “We are offering an array of opportunities to give, and it has appealed to more people.” The non-cash gifts, securities and cash has increased by 28 percent from 2003-04.Alumni gifts and overall gifts increased from last year by 1,627 and 2,103, respectively. “A rising tide raises all ships,” Charles Jaggers said as he described the reasoning behind Ball State’s success. “The rise in excitement from students and individuals about the university raises the overall progress of Ball State.”Historically, the Miller college of business has raised the most monies, but virtually all colleges have seen growth over the past year, Park said. Donors are given the opportunity to donate to their specific college, which was not offered in past years. Ball State’s new colleges and programs have accounted for the change in how alumni are donating.“The university is still a young school, and its alumni are young, but as they grow and become more successful, more monies will be donated,” Park said.Charles Jaggers said that the excitement about the university’s direction and momentum is appealing to people, and they want to endorse that.Ball State’s future fund raising looks bright with Lilly Endowment Inc. promising $2.5 million if Ball State can raise $2 million by December 31, 2006. Park sees no problems with raising the money by deadline but admits the challenge will be finding new contributors. Ball State must match each donor with the university’s priorities to ensure the school benefits and the donor is satisfied. The university looks to establish more relationships with their recent alumni and expand on those they have. People see Ball State as strong and vibrant, which has generated pride in the university, Jaggers said.“Most alumni have a strong allegiance to the university either through sports, sororities or academics,” said Park.
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