Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--For the fourth consecutive year, private giving totals for Mississippi State are surpassing the $50 million mark.
University alumni and friends contributed just over $51.6 million for the recently concluded 2008 fiscal year. As of June 30, the MSU Foundation received some 42,000 gifts from separate individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and estates.
"We continue to deeply appreciate the generosity of alumni and friends who are investing their personal resources to help Mississippi State carry out its mission of teaching, research and service," said Interim President Vance Watson. "The consistently high level of private support over several years is a vote of confidence in the university, and we are determined to make the best possible use of these resources for the benefit of our students and state."
MSU's seven-year "State of the Future" campaign continues to have an impact on giving. The comprehensive fundraising effort began in 2001 and closes formally Dec. 30.
Overall, the campaign's counting currently stands at $435 million.
"Again surpassing the '50' mark in fundraising during 'State of the Future' allows us to sustain a particular level of private giving that will assist the university as it pursues national standing," said John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni.
"Our alumni and friends obviously realize the importance of supporting Mississippi State by infusing immediate monies yearly as well as building endowments that will assist the university in perpetuity," Rush added.
Of total funds raised, new gifts accounted for more than $22.8 million, and new pledges totaled $9.5 million. Deferred gifts made up the remaining $19.3 million--an impressive 92 percent increase over FY 07.
Rush also said the foundation "experienced our most successful year ever in planned gifts; this is encouraging because non-profits across the nation have seen a decline in such gifts for several years. Obviously, our alumni and friends understand the importance of gift planning and the benefits that accompany it."
Additionally in FY 08, Mississippi State experienced significant growth through the foundation's annual giving program. More than $1.15 million flowed in as part of the MSU Annual Fund, an increase of 31 percent over FY 07.
Total fiscal-year giving represents the sum of outright gifts, new-gift pledges and deferred commitments. The total does not include payment of pledges from previous years or receipts of deferred gifts committed in previous years.
Annual-fund designated gifts are used for the eight academic colleges and other programs to enhance the overall learning experience. Annual gifts marked "unrestricted" are used to benefit the areas of greatest need.
Established in 1962, the MSU Foundation now administers most of the institution's fund-raising activities and endowment funds. The 130-year-old land-grant institution's current endowment exceeds $290 million.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information on the university's private fundraising efforts, contact Mr. Rush at 662-325-7000 or rush@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.