UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Division of Development and Alumni Relations has released its fundraising results for fiscal year 2011-12.
Despite a year that was marked by unprecedented challenges for the Penn State community, the support of the University’s alumni and friends remains strong as it continues to advance its $2 billion fundraising effort, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. Since the For the Future campaign began on Jan. 1, 2007, $1.6 billion has been secured toward the goal of $2 billion by June 2014. The campaign continues to run ahead of schedule.
"Penn State’s alumni and friends have remained steadfast in their support of our students and faculty," said Rodney P. Kirsch, senior vice president for development and alumni relations. "We are grateful to the scores of donors who, through incredibly difficult circumstances, have supported our students and our institution in record numbers. Through their philanthropy, our benefactors will help to confirm Penn State’s leadership in higher education."
During the past fiscal year, the University received $208.7 million in support from alumni and friends, the second highest gift total in its history. Donors did set all-time records with 191,712 supporters providing 323,271 gifts.
In addition, 75,593 alumni made gifts during the fiscal year, an increase from a year ago, which accounted for $70.9 million in scholarships and other philanthropic support. Kirsch noted that these figures included increases in giving to the Nittany Lion Club and THON over last year and strong support from faculty and staff of the University.
While Penn State did report $223.7 million in total commitments, a 37 percent decline, a drop was expected due to an $88 million commitment provided last year, the largest single pledge in its history, to establish the Pegula Ice Arena and an NCAA Division I ice hockey program. "Last year’s commitments were exceptional, due largely to the unparalleled generosity of the Pegulas," said Kirsch. "As the campaign enters its final two years, we remain grateful to our alumni and friends who have rallied to support the student-centered objectives of For the Future. The steady increase in support over the course of the campaign shows that our donors remain connected to and strongly invested in Penn State."