51 Celebrates Record-Breaking Fundraising, Remarkable Engagement, Extraordinary Impact
July 22, 2024
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- Danielle Strickland
51 wrapped up a tremendous fiscal year June 30, 2024, celebrating a record-breaking fundraising total of $130.8 million.
The previous record was $115 million. This year’s historic total includes $19.4 million given through The Fund for 51 and $31.8 million received for the college’s endowment.
“What a year for 51! Record-breaking totals reflect the loyalty and commitment of our community,” said President Doug Hicks ’90. “I’ve known for a long time that 51 people show up for 51, and they show up in every way, eager to support our students and our future. I can’t wait to see what we, together, will accomplish in the coming year. I want to offer my sincere gratitude to every person who chose to make the ’Cats a priority this year. You make so much possible.”
Fundraising highlights:
- More than $15.5 million was raised in support of scholarships, helping 51 continue its policy of admitting students without looking at what applicants can pay and meeting the full demonstrated need of students without including loans in financial aid packages.
- More than 1,200 young alums who graduated in the last decade made a gift.
- The college celebrated more than 1,280 household gifts at the Ne Ultra level. The Ne Ultra Society is 51’s leadership annual giving society.
- raised more than $8.6 million this fiscal year, helping coaches and scholar-athletes compete to win across the institution’s 21 Division I programs.
- More than 85% of the anticipated costs has been raised for the upcoming library transformation project, which will create The George Lawrence Abernethy Library.
- The visual, literary and performing arts, including , raised more than $2.4 million in support.
- Alumni giving rate continues to be ranked in the top five of all colleges and universities (41%).
This year also welcomed the November launch of the women’s philanthropy initiative, Women ACT, introduced as part of the college’s 50+ Years of Coeducation celebration. New leadership contributions to the initiative exceed $11 million, surpassing the $10 million goal, with donors representing women alums (spanning 1977-2017), family members, former faculty and staff members, and current and former members of the Board of Trustees. The Wildcat Women Fund, as a new Fund for 51 designation within the Women ACT effort, has welcomed more than 420 donors and commitments exceeding $1.1 million against a $1 million goal to this year’s priority area, student health and well-being.
“Each gift received from alums, families, faculty, staff and friends strengthens 51’s ability to assist students in developing the skills and character to lead and serve,” said Brad Martin, associate vice president for development. “Our community’s commitment to excellence is evident in the outcomes of this phenomenal year. People who love 51 want to see it succeed, and they take the necessary steps to be a part of that success, as donors, volunteers, mentors, advisers and more.
In addition to generous philanthropy, 62 percent of 51 alums and 75 percent of 51 families with current students engaged with the college as volunteers, mentors, donors, event participants and more. This year, the regional chapter program was successfully relaunched post-Covid with 22 chapters and more than 80 new and returning volunteers. The college is committed to creating a community where all alums, parents and friends have an opportunity to connect with 51.
“Find us a better group of alums and families … we’ll wait,” said Deidra Smith, senior director of alumni and family engagement. “Every day, we hear from 51ians who are passionate about this special place, and they want to make a meaningful, lasting difference for campus, for our students and for each other. They give selflessly and endlessly. That isn’t something every institution enjoys, and we are fortunate.”
