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Mizzou Donors Set New Cash Yearly Giving Record

Strong year pushes fundraising campaign past $900 million mark

July 13th, 2017

Story Contact: Christian Basi, 573-882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Officials today announced that the University of Missouri raised more than $121 million in cash gifts during fiscal year 2017, a new record. Overall, including pledges, the University raised nearly $152 million, the fourth highest total in University history. The strong fundraising year brings the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign total to $905 million—more than two-thirds to the $1.3 billion goal announced at the campaign’s launch in October 2015.

“Mizzou students and faculty strive for excellence in everything they do,” said MU Chancellor-Designate Alexander Cartwright. “Every gift to MU contributes to success in the classroom, in the research laboratory or on the playing field. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to our supporters.”

“Through our mission of teaching, research, engagement and economic development, the University of Missouri impacts the lives of our citizens every day,” said MU Interim Chancellor Garnett Stokes. “This new record clearly illustrates that our alumni and friends see Mizzou’s value and are willing to invest in the institution to help us be responsive to the needs of our state and nation in the future. We are grateful for that support.”

More than 40,000 donors made nearly 75,000 donations, pledges or estate gifts to MU from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. Gifts ranged from donations of less than a dollar to 21 gifts of $1 million or more. This is the fourth year in a row donors have made 20 or more million-dollar gifts to MU.

For example, the Panda Charitable Foundation donated $1.5 million to the MU Honors College. The foundation is led by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, University of Missouri alumni and founders of the Panda Restaurant Group Inc.

Smaller gifts also made a significant contribution to the university’s fundraising. The first-ever Mizzou Giving Day on March 15 raised 3,591 gifts totaling more than $8 million.

“First and foremost, this is a testament to the Mizzou spirit of our alumni and friends,” said MU Vice Chancellor for Advancement Tom Hiles. “We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and dedication to the university. With new leadership across campus, we are committed to making Mizzou even stronger, and private support continues to be essential to our success. I also want to commend our dedicated advancement staff who continue to build relationships and seek support from our alumni and friends. We are very pleased that we are on track to exceed our $1.3 billion goal by 2020.”

“I love Mizzou just like thousands of other people do across the country and around the world,” said Catherine Allen, chairman and CEO of the Santa Fe Group and a tri-chair for the campaign. “The university obviously faces some challenges. It is inspiring to see the Mizzou family rally behind our university to be part of the solution.”

The Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign helps secure the University of Missouri’s status among the nation’s elite public universities by focusing on three priorities:

  • Endowment — building a strong endowment will allow Mizzou to compete with other institutions and will strengthen the ability to attract and retain stellar students and faculty.
  • Signature Centers and Institutes – interdisciplinary centers and institutes will be the engine of research growth that will enhance MU’s AAU status and will add to the university’s distinctiveness.
  • Campus Renaissance — new and renovated facilities will propel Mizzou to global leadership in education and research and will help attract and retain students and faculty.

Editor’s note: For a visual representation of Mizzou’s fundraising from fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2017 download the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead graph.

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