 On
June 22, 2005, the University of Arkansas surpassed the $1 billion
goal set for the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, thanks to
a $12.5 million gift from the Tyson Foods Foundation. The gift brought
the Campaign total to $1.003 billion. Nearly seven years ago, on July 1, 1998, the University of Arkansas
began the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, its most ambitious
and important fundraising effort. The mission was clear: to move
the University into the top tier of public research universities
and play a major role in forging the knowledge-based, high-tech
economy Arkansas needs and deserves.
To accomplish this billion-dollar goal, the University reached out
to thousands of alumni and friends and asked for their generous
support. The response? The total number of individuals who contributed
to the Campaign was 70,477, and 41,250 of those were new donors.
Through gifts large and small, our supporters in this monumental
undertaking dramatically increased scholarships and faculty endowments,
as well as created new and enhanced programs and academic facilities.
Commitments to the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
alone totaled almost $56 million, including gifts to the Razorback
Band and KUAF.
Though we have been successful in our fundraising, many challenges
remain. As we work to maximize the benefits of the Matching Gift
Program established through the $300 million Walton challenge, major
gifts are more important than ever. Within Fulbright College, dollar-for-dollar
matching funds are available for pre-selected faculty positions,
honors college student support, and doctoral student support. We
still have 12 faculty positions eligible for a match that have not
yet been funded.
To establish an endowed fund in your name or in the name of someone
important to you, a minimum commitment of $10,000 is required. The
amount can be paid in cash or appreciated securities, through a
pledge of up to five years, or even as part of your will or estate
plan. Your annual pledge payment of $2,000 over just five years
will fully fund your endowment and produce academic support dollars
forever.
Private support provides the margin of excellence for attracting
and retaining outstanding students in the arts and sciences —
students who will become future leaders.
Through their generosity, Fulbright College donors will continue
to demonstrate their belief in the talents of our faculty and students
and their commitment to academic achievement. Please contact the
Fulbright College Office of Development and let us assist you in
arranging a gift that will be meaningful to you and to the future
of this great university.
Many thanks.
Dina Wood
Office of Development
525 Old Main
479.575.3712
dcwood@uark.edu
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The University of Arkansas must make a quantum
leap to increase its resources if it is to move into the top
tier of public research universities and play a major role
in forging the knowledge-based, high-tech economy Arkansas
needs and deserves.
Private gift support is the most promising source of new
funds to fuel that leap.
While state appropriations and tuition cover basic operating
costs, private gift support is vital toward providing the
margin of excellence that will lift the University into the
ranks of the nation’s best public research universities.
Private gift support and endowment earnings provide 9.6 percent
of current annual revenues at the University, with unlimited
potential for growth.
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