Beginning in 2017, Emporia State’s Together, Forward campaign sought to raise $50 million dollars for the University’s future. Last Sunday, ESU announced that it shattered its goal, raising $91,714,500.
12,746 donors donated in the Together, Forward campaign: 5,339 of the donors were first time donors with 854 of the donors being current, former, or retired ESU faculty or staff.
“The overwhelming success of the Together, Forward fundraising campaign is a testament to the support of those who believe in Emporia State University’s fundamental mission: to offer our students invaluable and authentic college experiences,” said Shane Shivley, Vice President for University Advancement and President of the ESU Foundation.
The Together, Forward campaign sought to raise money for a variety of endeavors, including talent-based scholarships, real world learning opportunities and financial support for facilities and campus initiatives.
Of the $91 million dollars raised, 38 percent of the gifts were endowed while 34 percent of the gifts were planned. Endowed gifts usually have an intended destination whose annual reward is based on the payout rate of the initial principle. Planned gifts are realized later, often through their will or trust.
The total amount for Together, Forward was divided into several categories, including facilities, talent awards, and high impact funds. Funds were then further dispersed into a mix of scholarship, program and facility funds, 408 of which were new funds developed as a result of the Together, Forward campaign.
“High impact funds are funds designated in the short term. We need students to do field research, to study abroad, to go to conferences and student leadership conferences.” said Bethany Tegtmeier, Vice President for Development at ESU’s Foundation.
$5.8 million of the total amount has been designated as high impact funding. $8.6 million has been allotted for talent awards, $1.3 million for athletic champion facilities, $3.1 million is unrestricted in its destination and $72.9 million is designated for the “other” category.
