Development Report 2007-08

By Calvin D. Husmann
Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations

Thanks to the outstanding support of many Lawrence University alumni and friends, fiscal 2008 was a record-breaking year for the college. Gift income totaled $31.4 million, a 46 percent increase from the $21.4 million received in fiscal 2007. At $31.4 million, we have set a new all-time record for the college, exceeding previous records in fiscal 2007 and 2000 ($21.2 million).

Our fund-raising swelled this year thanks to an $11 million payment on an anonymous source's $15 million commitment for the Richard and Margot Warch Campus Center. This, combined with a record-breaking contribution from the Class of 1958 in honor of its 50th Class Reunion, helped make this a truly extraordinary year for the college.

Uses of Funds Received
Of the $31.4 million received, $16.3 million was received in gifts directed to the physical plant, principally for the campus center and the Björklunden expansion; $9.5 million for the endowment; and $1 million for life-income gifts. The college received $686,000 for restricted current fund gifts. Gifts to The Lawrence Fund tallied $3.55 million and $70,500 was received in other budget-relieving gifts. Approximately $230,000 is undesignated, pending discussions with donors regarding permanent allocations.

Realized bequest income totaled $6.5 million, a 273 percent increase over last year's $1.7 million. Membership in the Lawrence-Downer Legacy Circle grew to 737 living members from 698 in 2007. Corporate and foundation support continued its upward trend, with $2.4 million received in fiscal 2008, up from $2.1 million in fiscal 2007.

The Lawrence Fund
The $3,555,743 in gifts secured for The Lawrence Fund was just short of the $3,600,000 goal. That said, this tally reflects yet another all-time record for the college (narrowly surpassing the $3,552,958 raised in fiscal 2007). Founders Club membership grew to 773 (versus 758 last year), another all-time record. Founders Club members contributed $2.44 million or 70.7 percent of The Lawrence Fund gifts.

Milestone Reunion classes contributed 15.1 percent of all gifts to The Lawrence Fund, a total of $536,872 for fiscal 2008. When including gifts, multi-year pledges, restricted gifts, and planned gifts (for the 50th Reunion), the Classes of 1998, 1983, 1968, and 1958 collectively committed $26.1 million. The Class of 1958 broke the record for total giving for a 50th Reunion class with commitments totaling $24,385,128.

The alumni donor participation rate dropped slightly to 45.2 percent from 45.8 percent and the number of alumni donors declined to 6,419 from 6,618 last year. While we know many of our sister institutions will be reporting similar declines, we worked with annual giving consultants and completed a full review of our Annual Giving program. We are confident the recommendations they have suggested will help us reverse this trend in fiscal 2009.

Buoyed by a $50,000 challenge from Robert and Joan Schaupp, support for the northern campus via The Boynton Society was up 17.5 percent -- $248,878 compared to last year's $211,902 -- for operating gifts for Björklunden.

Endowment and Physical Plant
Gifts to the endowment totaled $9.5 million, a considerable increase (79 percent) over last year's $5.5 million and well above the college's average ($6 million) for the past decade. Within the $16.3 million physical plant gifts, $15,831,496 was received for the campus center and the land bridge, $158,406 for the Björklunden Expansion project, $150,000 for Memorial Chapel renovations, and $50,000 for Coleman Hall repairs.

As of July 15, total gifts and commitments for the campaign stand at $97.8 million. We anticipate in the coming months that the college will receive gifts from two estates totaling $3 million, which will put the campaign total over the $100 million threshold. Of the $35 million goal for the campus center project, we have secured $34.6 million, leaving only a $400,000 shortfall.

We look forward to an exciting year at the college with further progress on the campus center construction project and, of course, another great year of fund raising. While this year will not be without its unique challenges, we will strive to make good progress in growing the endowment and encouraging continued support from the alumni base.

All the wonderful news outlined in this report is thanks to your continued investment in Lawrence. Thank you for your support and ensuring a bright future for this distinctive college.