Posted on: Friday, May 23, 2003

UH Foundation fund-raising up

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

The University of Hawai'i Foundation is $4.3 million ahead of last year in its fund-raising efforts, bringing the total so far this fiscal year to $20.1 million, with another month to go.

Foundation president Betsy Sloane told the UH Board of Regents at their most recent meeting that the foundation is predicting between $20 million and $25 million to be raised this fiscal year. Most of the foundation's grants — 97 percent — are restricted for specific programs or units of the university.

Under its new contract with the university, the foundation has added the potentially lucrative area of alumnae fund-raising to its duties. There's been a doubling and tripling of alumnae attending gatherings across the Mainland, Sloane said. Some of these have been tailgate gatherings at sports events.

Meetings are being held in New York, Seattle, Las Vegas and cities in California to increase Alumnae Association membership. Giving has increased from 11 percent of alumnae who contribute to their alma mater to 14 percent.

According to foundation statistics there were 27,378 donors who made outright gifts or pledges totaling $9.4 million, and 123 more donors who gave gifts of $10,000 or more.

As part of its fund-raising activity, the foundation has requests outstanding for $23.9 million in major gifts from individuals.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.