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University of South Carolina Raises $95.3M in Private Donations

Posted on: Monday, 8 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

Aug. 6--The University of South Carolina had its second-best year in private gifts and pledges last year, raising $95.3 million, a 48 percent increase over the previous year.

USC vice president for University Advancement Hudson Akin said the results show a new level of confidence among USC's regular donors that money they have given in the past is being well spent.

Akin said the results also represent an increased level of effort by the university to ensure average annual gifts exceed levels set during USC's 1995-2002 Bicentennial Campaign.

Before that campaign, gifts averaged $25 million per year. During the campaign, the average was $65 million per year. Since the campaign, annual giving averages $71.2 million.

"We are trying to set a new standard," Akin said. "We have to work for it every year. We can't count on it without nurturing our donor base."

The only year USC posted a larger total was the 1997-98 academic year, when gifts and pledges totaled $101 million.

In the year ended June 30, the number of donors increased 10 percent to 26,255. The number of alumni donors rose 14 percent to 15,241. And the number of gifts and pledges of $1 million or more rose 29 percent to 14.

Internal giving through the Family Fund campaign raised a record $2,336,298, increasing its support by 500 donors and nearly $50,000 over last year.

Akin said he was especially pleased with alumni giving, which rose 25 percent, because the increase comes as alumni giving nationwide has declined. Among public universities in the Southeastern Conference, Akin said USC leads in alumni giving.

Other contribution breakdowns:

--Support for academic enhancements: $33.8 million

--Gifts for faculty development, including chairs and professorships: $3.2 million

--Support for scholarships and fellowships: $9.8 million

--Contributions to the Gamecock Club: $14.6 million

--Corporate giving: $16.5 million

--Foundation support: $8.2 million

USC president Andrew Sorensen said he was "delighted" by the report.

"They clearly show that we are expanding and deepening our support at a critical time in the university's history," he said.

"As we increase the size of our faculty, build our research campus and expand scholarships and programs to enhance the student experience here at Carolina, we find it gratifying to see that our efforts not only are being recognized, but also are being supported by friends, alumni, foundations and the corporate sector."

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Source: The State (Columbia, S.C.)

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