Clemson fundraising tops $101M in FY 2012-13

CLEMSON — Private gifts to Clemson University totaled $101.9 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year, bringing the total raised in The Will to Lead campaign to $699 million.

The total raised this year includes $62.6 million in cash gifts, pledges and gifts-in-kind and $17.6 million in planned gifts.

“It was great to see such strong support after launching the next phase of The Will to Lead campaign,” said Brian O’Rourke, executive director of development and alumni affairs. “Clemson is fortunate to have so many passionate alumni, donors, partners and friends who understand the importance of giving and how it benefits the university and our students. We are excited that our momentum is continuing.”

Highlights from the year include a gift of office space in the Greenville ONE Building valued at more than $9 million; a $1.5 million gift from Fluor to the industrial engineering graduate program; a gift of $1.05 million from Joe and Gretchen Erwin of Greenville to establish the Erwin Center for the Study of Advertising and Communication; and $1.5 million from Goz and Pat Segars of Hartsville to support scholarships and student engagement in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.

The total also includes $26.7 million raised by IPTAY through its annual fund, cash and pledges for major gifts, and planned gifts to support athletics.

“We are very appreciative of the 15,000-plus donors who have committed more than $26.7 million over the past year to support athletic scholarships, academic support services and facility initiatives,” said Davis Babb, chief executive officer of IPTAY. “This total is a combination of gifts to our annual fund, as well as major gifts and planned giving efforts that have enabled our ‘one IPTAY’ enterprise to expand its scope.”

The percentage of alumni who gave to Clemson University was 23.54 percent, which remains one of the highest among public universities in the nation. Gifts from young alumni who graduated within the past 10 years saw a large increase this year, from $201,591 in 2012 to $640,662.

“I am excited to see such an increase in gifts from young alumni,” said O’Rourke. “They are Clemson’s future. They are the ones who will continue to support Clemson for decades to come.”

More than 21,700 people made donations to the university during the fiscal year.

Last year, Clemson surpassed its goal of raising $600 million in the campaign and extended the goal to $1 billion to support students and faculty with scholarships, professorships, facilities, technology and enhanced opportunities for learning and research. 

Since the campaign was launched, 423 new scholarships and fellowships have been created, funding has been provided for 100 faculty positions, 397 new endowments have been created and numerous academic and athletic facilities are planned, under renovation or have been built. The university’s endowment has increased by $100 million during the campaign.

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