Miami University

Banner year for university giving

01/30/2007

Miami University received 36,311 gifts totaling $51.9 million in 2006, the highest amount of cash ever received in a calendar year and an increase of 88 percent over 2005's record gift amount of nearly $28 million. The largest single cash gift in '06 was $13.5 million from the estate of Lois Klawon '39, which helped establish the Miami Access Initiative, providing tuition for students of low-income families.

About 60 percent of gifts were from alumni; nearly 18 percent were from parents and friends; 20 percent were from corporations and foundations; and 2 percent were from other sources.

In addition, new commitments (gifts and pledges) to the Campaign For Love and Honor totaled more than $52 million in 2006.

"Miami deeply appreciates the generous support from alumni, parents, corporations and friends," said Jayne Whitehead, vice president for university advancement. "Gifts made in 2006 make a direct impact on the university today, benefiting students, faculty, academic programs, facilities and much more. At the same time, multi-year pledges are key to sustaining and strengthening Miami in the long term, which is one of the goals of For Love and Honor."

Highlights include:

• In December alone, Miami received $11.7 million, the second-best month ever.
  
  
• Gifts by check and credit card were up 29 percent from 2005.
  
  
• Miami received a record $233,000 online, up 32 percent from 2005.
  
  
• Current faculty and staff gave 20 percent more through payroll deduction than in 2005. To date, current and former faculty and staff have contributed more than $4.6 million in gifts and pledges to Miami during the campaign.
  
  
• By comparison, total cash gifts were $23.5 million in 2004 and $27.7 million in 2005.