More than $600 million down, just about $150 million to go.
The WVU Foundation announced Friday the latest fundraising totals as part of the “State of Minds” campaign. The goal is to raise $750 million by Dec. 2015.
So far, donations total $605 million, WVU Foundation President and CEO Wayne King said Friday.
That means with three full calendar years to go, the largest private campaign in WVU history is 81 percent complete.
Over the last three months, alumni and friends donated $36 million, the WVU Foundation said Friday.
“We are extremely pleased with the response we’ve had from University supporters,” said King. “People are excited about all the positive news coming out of the University and this has translated to success in fundraising. Private support is really helping to make a difference.”
WVU President Jim Clements was equally excited about the campaign.
“I can’t thank our donors enough for their unwavering and heartfelt support of the work we do and, thus, the impact we are able to make in West Virginia and around the world. We simply could not be the University we are and strive to be without this significant generosity,” Clements said.
King says he’s confident the Foundation will reach its goal by the Dec. 2015 deadline. However, he has concerns about the looming debt ceiling negotiations in Washington.
King said there have been rumors of a possible cap on itemized deductions in the upcoming debt ceiling debate. Such a cap could negatively affect charitable giving, King says.
Fundraising is focusing on six University-wide campaign priority areas that align with the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future:
— Enhance the undergraduate student experience and global education
— Advance the research initiative of the University
— Enable WVU to improve West Virginia’s health, economy and quality of life
— Foster faculty excellence
— Enhance WVU through professional and graduate education
— Support healthcare through research, education and patient care
The largest gift has come from Ben and Jo Statler who gave $34 million to rename the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.