Giving to Goshen College Annual Fund reaches new high

GOSHEN, Ind. – During the 2006-07 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the unrestricted Goshen College Annual Fund received the largest amount of contributions on record, a total of $1,962,113, according to Vice President for Institutional Advancement Will Jones. This is $244,087 more than last year and 9 percent above the college’s goal of raising $1.8 million.

“We have again been very blessed by the generous supporters of our students, faculty and mission, and we can’t say ‘thank you’ enough. Thank you!” said Jones. “It has been a terrific year at the college in many ways and it is clear when we talk with our alumni and friends that they are as excited as we are about where we are headed.”

Included among the special and ordinary expenses paid from the college’s 2006-07 operating budget, which is supplemented by the unrestricted Goshen College Annual Fund, are: $6.1 million given to students in unrestricted scholarship aid; the cost for 117 students and 12 faculty leaders to experience another culture and country for three months through the Study-Service Term program; and the salaries and benefits for more than 300 faculty and staff.

Overall giving to Goshen was significantly higher than previous years, with a total of $17,544,146 contributed. Of that, though, Lilly Endowment Inc. gave the college $12.5 million in October 2006 for the development of the new Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning to serve a rapidly increasing Latino immigrant population and focusing on research, providing educational access and creating a transformed learning community. This total includes the GC Fund as well as gifts for specific purposes or the endowment.

Contributing towards the overall giving were 4,466 total donor households, 30 more than last year. One hundred percent of the 13 members of the college’s Board of Directors contributed a total of $46,590. The percent of alumni who gave was similar to the past several years, at approximately 26 percent, and they gave a total of $2,702,479. There were 145 faculty and staff who contributed a total of $107,599. And churches gave $214,842 this year, which is $7,291 more than last year.

This academic year, 2006-07, has also been President James Brenneman’s first in office, after taking leadership July 1, 2006. “It has been a real joy this year to meet many wonderful people all across the country and the church who are so deeply committed to the future of this college and our core values,” Brenneman said. “As we have been entrusted with these resources, we recommit ourselves to providing an environment where every student can grow fully into the person God desires; where wisdom and wonder are taught; and where love for God’s creation resounds.”

Celebrating the role of donors

During 2006-07, the campus celebrated Tuition Free Day for the first time. On March 7, the Development Office highlighted the end of the academic year that students pay for through tuition, and the beginning of the year that is paid for by the generous donations of alumni and friends. Tuition only covers about 66 percent of Goshen College’s total revenue in a year.

“Keeping Christian private liberal arts education affordable and accessible is one of our highest priorities each year,” Jones said. “Many alumni and friends contribute to scholarships and make gifts to student aid and the Goshen College Fund, and we want to make sure students are aware that donors are investing in their future.”

New gift clubs

Also in 2006-07, the Development Office introduced new gift clubs for donors to consider joining. In addition to the Associates gift club which has been made up of donors who annually give at least $1,000 to the Goshen College Fund, the Builders gift club level was added, recognizing annual “unrestricted” gifts of at least $365 (or $1 a day). “It is our hope that there is a giving level that will inspire everyone to further invest in the mission of Goshen College,” said Roger Nafziger, director of annual and planned giving.

In addition, Goshen College established three new Giving Societies to recognize significant lifetime giving, including both “restricted” and “unrestricted” cumulative giving. Jim Caskey, director of major gifts, explains: “We have donors who have a relationship with Goshen College that spans several decades and many of them have faithfully given every year. Some even have a lifetime giving goal in mind. We want to encourage that kind of consistency which continues to move the college forward.”

Goal for 2007-08

Giving for 2006-07 is complete, but next year is already here. The Goshen College Development Office hopes to reach its goal of raising $2 million during the fiscal year 2007-08 for the GC Fund. To contact the Goshen College Development Office with questions or for more information, call (574) 535-7558 or visit www.goshen.edu/give.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.