W&M annual giving up 11 percent for first half of fiscal year 2010

by Renell Franklin, University Development | February 17, 2010

Based on mid-year giving data, the first half of fiscal 2010 has brought some encouraging signs for William & Mary's fundraising efforts.

Annual giving to William & Mary - funds that provide the College resources to meet day-to-day expenses - topped $10 million for the first half of fiscal 2010. This represents an 11 percent increase compared to the same period in fiscal 2009, which was just over $9 million, Vice President for University Development Sean Pieri recently reported to the William & Mary Board of Visitors.

In addition, Pieri said, more alumni of the College are giving - for the first half of fiscal 2010 the College has seen a 6 percent increase (10,336) in alumni donors compared to 9,780 in fiscal 2009. For the first half of fiscal 2010, the College raised $20.2 million. For the same period in fiscal 2009, the College raised $32.4 million and in fiscal 2008, $18.4 million.

"Although it is too early to predict overall fundraising totals, these mid-year numbers represent alumni and friends' belief in the College - this is the greatest expression of loyalty," Pieri said. "Results today are encouraging, but we still need support of this kind in order to meet the changing demands of the College."

Among gifts and pledges from alumni and friends that are contributing to mid-year success:

In fall 2009, Todd L. '95 and Katherine Garrett Boehly '95 pledged $1 million to the Mason School of Business. This gift will support the Mason School's Capital Fund (Miller Hall), and the Todd L. Boehly Finance Experiences Fund - a new fund to support the Finance Honors Program by providing undergraduate business students with advanced opportunities. In recognition of the gift, Miller Hall's café was renamed the Boehly Café.
In December 2009, an anonymous donor pledged $950,000 to create an endowment to fund four scholarships ($10,000 each) to be awarded to students in their junior and senior years who have an interest or emphasis in government. The endowment is named in honor of Government Professor John McGlennon.
In December 2009, a bequest from the estate of Waverly M. Cole '50 provided $883,000 to establish the Waverly M. Cole Scholarship Endowment and to support the Class of 1950 50th Reunion Scholarship Endowment. The income from the Cole Scholarship Endowment will be used for need-based scholarships for academically distinguished students attending the College. Recently, Cole was awarded the Alumni Medallion, the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus of the College, posthumously during Charter Day activities in February.
In November 2009, Constantine and Marianne Iordanou, William & Mary parents, pledged $500,000 - which includes a $250,000 corporate match - to support the Sherman and Gloria Cohen Career Center. In recognition of their gift, the administrative suite in the Career Center will be named the Constantine and Marianne Iordanou and Family Administrative Suite.
In December 2009, Cliff Schroeder, an honorary alumnus of William & Mary, gifted more than $100,000 to support the Schroeder Center for Health Policy in its efforts to inform and educate current and future decision makers on a broad array of public policies related to healthcare and public health. Recent projects funded by the Schroeder Center include studies of the determinants of child obesity, and projects currently under way focus on Medicare financing and utilization. The Center was named for Schroeder in 2003 after an initial pledge of $250,000.