KU receives national fundraising award for second year in a row

LAWRENCE — For the second consecutive year, the University of Kansas has received a prestigious national Educational Fundraising Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). KU was one of only four universities in the nation honored in the category of public research/doctoral institutions with endowments over $250 million.

“I've have the opportunity to see first-hand the talent and dedication of KU Endowment leadership, staff and volunteers over the past year as we've met with hundreds of donors and supporters around the nation. This recognition of their efforts is well-deserved and is a clear indication that the entire university community benefits from the generosity of our donors and the hard work of the team at KU Endowment,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.

Last year, there were seven awardees in the same category as KU; this year there were only four. Other 2013 awardees were the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Virginia; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“We are gratified and humbled to be selected for this prestigious award and to be in the company of such renowned institutions,” said Dale Seuferling, president of KU Endowment. “Our mission at KU Endowment is to build a greater university, and we couldn’t accomplish this without our partnership with donors and with this great university.”

KU received an Overall Performance Award based on the judges’ analysis of fundraising results for the three-year period ending June 30, 2012. Institutions may not apply for the awards; judges make their selections as part of a blind study of national data. The criteria used by judges include growth in total support, influence of the 12 largest gifts and growth in each program area.

Donations to KU Endowment for the benefit of KU and The University of Kansas Hospital broke records in that three-year time period: $122.4 million in fiscal 2010, $153.2 million in fiscal 2011 and $156.5 million in fiscal 2012. These gifts count toward Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, a $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Far Above publicly kicked off in April 2012 with $612 million in contributions at that time. To date, giving to Far Above has reached $854 million.

“The University of Kansas is among an exceptional group of universities being honored for the effectiveness and professionalism of their fundraising programs,” said John Lippincott, president of CASE. “Our expert panel of judges reviewed performance data from the last three years and found that KU had a sustained and enviable record of success.  The award is especially significant in that it is the second year in a row that KU has achieved this well-deserved honor.”

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university. The University of Kansas Hospital is a partner in philanthropy with KU Endowment.