By Gregory A. Volk
Vice President for Development and External Affairs
The 2000-2001 fiscal year was the third best fund-raising year in Lawrence's history. Contributions from private sources* totaled $13,231,895. And, although the record for the most gift dollars received in a single year still rests with 1999-2000, when the college set an all-time record of $21,119,44 in total gifts, that was due in large part to $8.3 million received from a trust established by Ethel M. Barber, M-D '34, D.F.A. '85. No comparable single gift was received in 2000-2001, but this year's strong showing nevertheless continued the pattern of excellent fund-raising results that has been evident in recent years. The past four fiscal years represent our four best fund-raising years, in which annual gift income has averaged a respectable $15.9 million. While total gift income for 2000-2001 was nearly $8 million short of last year's best-ever record, gifts from living individuals increased by 23 percent ($8.7 million in fiscal 2001 compared with $7.1 million in fiscal 2000).
Uses of funds received
Of the $13.2 million total, $3,095,553 was received for The Lawrence Fund (operating support); $19,242 in other budget-relieving gifts; $454,648 in restricted current gifts; $5,273,228 was designated for the endowment; $289,513 represents life-income gifts; $1,152,308 remains undesignated, pending decisions by donors regarding the allocation of their gifts; and $2,945,378 was directed toward the physical plant.
The Lawrence Fund
Gifts to The Lawrence Fund tallied $3,095,553, comfortably ahead of the $2.5 million goal, 6.2 percent ahead of last year, and the first time that The Lawrence Fund has exceeded $3 million. Trustee support of The Lawrence Fund was assuredly the key element in these strong results, as trustee gifts for this purpose totaled $627,489, a 30 percent increase over the preceding year. Moreover, 14 trustees joined the Lawrencium level of our Founders Club with gifts of $25,000 or more. With other budget-balancing gifts, the fund-raising program's contribution to the support of the college's operations stands at $3,114,795.
The growth in The Lawrence Fund totals this past year is attributable to enhanced support at the leadership levels within our Founders Club totaling $1,924,712. Membership in The Founders Club -- also a new record -- grew significantly, from 493 donors in 1999-2000 to 560 in 2000-2001. The Class of 1951 set a new record for the 50th Reunion Class gift with more than $200,000 received in Lawrence Fund gifts and a grand total of $1.435 million in gifts for all purposes. In addition, the average alumni gift to The Lawrence Fund reached $307.85, versus $279.59 in 1999-2000.
Within The Lawrence Fund, 588 individuals designated their gifts to provide operating support to Björklunden under the auspices of the Boynton Society. Their support tallied $132,807 in fiscal 2000-2001, a 6 percent increase over the preceding year.
A total of $215,652 was received in gifts from 1,810 former and current parents for The Lawrence Fund. In addition, 2,669 of Lawrence's friends contributed $143,540 to this year's annual giving program.
Our milestone reunion gift program for alumni celebrating their 10th, 25th, 40th, and 50th reunions serves as an integral component of our Lawrence Fund programs, and reunion gifts for the Classes of 1991, 1976, 1961, and 1951 totaled $10,525, $58,479, $187,788, and $203,902 respectively. Once again, the 50th reunion gift committee established a new all-time record for a 50th reunion class gift. Chaired by George Chandler, the Class of 1951 gift committee succeeded in raising a total of $1.427 million (including $203,902 for The Lawrence Fund) in gifts and pledges for all purposes.
Alumni donor participation rate
The greatest achievement in this past year's fund-raising program was not in dollars received but in returning to the 50th percentile in Lawrence's alumni donor participation rate. Thanks to the generosity of Kim Hiett Jordan, '58, chair of the committee on development of the Board of Trustees, 644 new young alumni donors (from the Classes of 1980 through 1999) made gifts to Lawrence in response to a $50,000 challenge grant from Ms. Jordan. By June 30, the overall alumni donor participation rate had reached 50.3 percent, the highest percentage we have achieved since fiscal 1994. Lawrence has long prided itself in having one of the best alumni donor participation rates in the country, and we are exceedingly pleased with the growth in the alumni donor base this past year. Of special significance, this year's graduating class topped the charts with a 75 percent participation rate, setting a record for the senior class gift program.
Endowment
Additions to endowment from gifts totaled $5,273,228 or 40 percent of total gift income. Significant endowment gifts were secured from William Zuendt of Mill Valley, California; the Frank C. Shattuck Revocable Trust for the Frank C. Shattuck Professorship in Music; George Diamandopoulos, '51, for four scholarship funds; and the Puelicher Foundation, Inc., for the Matilda Siefert Scholarship.
Physical plant
Receipts within the plant fund totaled $2,945,378 or 22 percent of total gift income. Gifts for bricks and mortar were dominated by gifts for Science Hall, Briggs Hall, and the renovation of Main Hall and by a major gift from Walter Schober of Pentwater, Michigan, for the renovation of the first floor of the Seeley G. Mudd Library.
Pledges
Of the $13.2 million received during 2000-2001, $1.796 million arrived in the form of payments on pledges made during prior fiscal years. During 2000-2001, Lawrence received new pledge commitments worth $5,577,786. Total pledge expectancies stood at $5.1 million as of June 30, 2001 (versus $4.68 million in June 2000).
The generous support of many benefactors contributes mightily to the current strength and stature of Lawrence University. Thanks to your confidence in our efforts, Lawrence continues to bolster its academic program, provide much-needed scholarship support to talented and deserving students, make significant investments in the library and in information technology, and make improvements to the campus in ways that enhance the teaching and learning environment and are integral to the mission of this residential liberal arts college. On behalf of all of us at Lawrence, thank you again for your generous support and dedication to the work of the college.
* Although the figures here presented are in compliance with standards adopted by CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) and NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers), they differ from the presentation of gift income in the college's financial report. This development report includes both gifts and payments on pledges received during 2000-2001 but excludes new pledges received during the fiscal year. Financial statement gift income, on the other hand, augments these numbers by the value of new pledges received during the year and reduces them by the value of payments made on pledges received in prior fiscal years.