MU Continues Fundraising Success In the Face of Difficult Economic Times

MU wins award for overall fundraising performance

June 24th, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— Despite a tough economic climate that has created difficult fundraising conditions, the University of Missouri has managed to keep their fundraising performance constant throughout the economic downturns of  2008 and 2009. In recognition, MU was awarded the 2010 Overall Performance award for fundraising from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

MU completed their $1 billion campaign in November 2008. During the latter stages of the campaign, MU became the most productive fundraising team among Missouri’s public higher education institutions.

“I am very proud of our success in every aspect of our fundraising,” David Housh, vice chancellor development and alumni relations at MU, said. “Our major gift program growth made the difference between a successful billion dollar campaign and an unsuccessful one.”

Housh believes that the growth of MU’s fundraising program compared to other universities competing for the award was an important factor of the judges’ decision. MU’s alumni donor participation rate has increased from 10% to 17% in the past few years. Housh says MU donor participation is now comparative to the rate that private colleges and universities enjoy.

Housh credits much of the fundraising success to MU’s outstanding leadership, extraordinary volunteers and highly motivated staff.

“Our alumni and friends are very loyal and passionate about the need for private support to their university,” Housh said. “The MU family is blessed with stellar leadership and highly talented alumni and development staff.”

The selection was made by peer judges on the basis of fundraising data submitted to the Council for Aid to Education during fiscal years 2007-2009. Only 20 schools won Overall Performance awards from CASE this year, out of more than one thousand eligible institutions. Institutions do not apply for the program; the awards are entirely data-driven.