11/05/07

Record number of donors give $94.3 million to KU

LAWRENCE — A record number of University of Kansas alumni and friends — 43,400 — contributed to KU Endowment during fiscal year 2007, up from 41,085 in 2006.

In fiscal year 2007, which ended June 30, giving reached $94.3 million. The market value of endowed funds, the permanent legacy for KU, reached $1.24 billion.

KU Endowment distributed $94.9 million in support to the university, with more than a quarter of that amount benefiting students. The total was divided among the following areas: $24.3 million for student aid, $20.8 million for faculty, $18.2 million for programs, $17 million for capital support and $14.6 million for books, equipment and supplies.

From fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2007, student support (excluding loans) grew from $23 million to $24.3 million; faculty support grew from $16.9 million to $20.8 million.

“Behind all these numbers are stories of people from every generation who benefit from the generosity of our donors,” said KU Endowment President Dale Seuferling. “Their stories represent the power of philanthropy at the University of Kansas. We are thankful for our donors, whose generosity will help current and future generations achieve their dreams at KU.”

The KU Endowment Board of Trustees reviewed fiscal year 2007 financial performance, as well as support for KU, at its 116th annual meeting Nov. 2 at the Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center in Kansas City, Kan. Since its founding in 1891 as the university’s foundation, KU Endowment has provided $1.4 billion in university support.

Each year, KU Endowment transfers income from endowed funds, along with gifts from donors, to the university’s four campuses. Funds are used according to donors’ wishes. The goal for endowed funds and other long-term investments is to provide a consistent level of support for the university in perpetuity.

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Fact Sheet

• Of the $27.9 million disbursed to students in fiscal year 2007, $24.3 million was in scholarships, fellowships and awards, and $3.6 million was in loans. In fiscal year 2006, $26.4 million was disbursed to students: $23 million in scholarships, fellowships and awards, and $3.4 million in loans.
• Giving in fiscal year 2007 reached $94.3 million, just shy of the 2006 total of $94.4 million. Of that, $77.7 million was in outright gifts and pledges, and $16.6 million was in deferred gifts for the future benefit of KU.
• In fiscal year 2007, KU Endowment provided $94.9 million to the university, compared to $99 million in 2006. Though support for students and faculty increased, costs for campus construction decreased from $33.1 million in 2006 to $17 million in 2007 as a result of fewer construction projects.
• In fiscal year 2007, donors gave gifts totaling $9.3 million to establish 72 new scholarship funds.
• Donors established five new professorships with endowed funds totaling $2.4 million.
• The market value of KU Endowment’s endowed funds — the permanent legacy established by donors for current and future generations of KU students — grew from $1.05 billion in 2006 to $1.24 billion in 2007.
• The market value of KU Endowment’s total assets, which includes real estate and other special holdings, reached $1.71 billion in 2007, up from $1.52 billion in 2006.
• The Long-term Investment Program gained 19.3 percent, beating the benchmark of 8.2 percent. The three-year return was 15.5 percent, and the benchmark was 9 percent. This includes more than 2,700 individual funds and makes up 71 percent of KU Endowment’s total assets.
• Donors hailed from all 50 states, four commonwealths and 28 other countries.
  

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