2017 is shaping up to be a very gift generous year for Pacific University, with donations and pledges for fundraising already totaling over $7.1 million.
“We are having a great year,” Jan Stricklin, associate vice president of university advancement said. “And are on track to have the most successful fundraising year in Pacific’s history to date.”
During the last fiscal year, from June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2017, Pacific received over $5.3 million in gifts and pledges. And it is not just this year that Pacific is experiencing a boost in fundraising either.
“We have seen a 112 percent increase in gifts and pledges over the five previous years,” Stricklin said. “Not including the current year.”
Additionally, over the last three months, Pacific has received several major gift donations directed towards various campus projects totaling upwards of $1.9 million. An anonymous donation of $1 million was gifted to Pacific to fund a new dental mobile clinic and a related endowment to support a Clinic Outreach Coordinator position. Both of which will be used to create a collaborative program between the College of Optometry and the Dental Health Science program, called the “EyeSmile Outreach Program.”
Two gifts, each of $250,000, were made out to Pacific this year by Board of Trustees member Kim Ledbetter and his wife Barb to fund the new turf field in Hanson Stadium, and an anonymous donor who helped to fund the new turf for the baseball infield. Another donation of nearly $400,000 was made by a World War II veteran to create a scholarship for, and provide support to, veterans coming to Pacific.
All of the money and funds go wherever each donor directs it. For example, gifts and pledges could go to the Pacific Excellence Fund, which helps to support financial aid, endowment scholarships and university projects. Along with the increase in donations, University Advancement is planning to expand Boxer Giving Day into an entire week.
Boxer Excellence Week, which will start on Nov. 28, will spotlight a different University Advancement Excellence Fund each day. The event will kick off with giveaways, donuts and various student clubs tabling on the University Center patio on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 28.
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