Drake University is celebrating one of the University’s best fundraising years on record. Fiscal year 2019, which ended June 30, generated more than $42.5 million in new gifts, multi-year pledges, and documented qualified deferred gifts.

Compelling initiatives such as The Harkin Institute building project, The Gregory and Suzie Glazer Burt Boys and Girls Club, the University Streetscape project, and the Lorentzen Sustainability Challenge—which supported several campus initiatives to reduce the University’s carbon footprint—drove many of the generous gifts and commitments. Contributions also included a leadership gift to revitalize one of our academic buildings (more details to follow later this semester), transformational investments in Drake Athletics, and multiple realized estate gifts.

Other highlights from fiscal year 2019:

• The Drake Fund generated $3.84 million. The Drake Fund supports the most immediate needs of the University, including student scholarships and key priorities among the colleges and schools.

• Cash contributions totaled $29.25 million, marking the fifth-highest annual amount of cash gifts received in history. These cash payments represent new cash gifts, pledge payments, and estate gifts. This metric is captured within the University’s balanced scorecard under the Volunteer Support of Education (VSE) measure.

• All In, the University’s annual giving challenge, generated a record-setting number of gifts and donors. In 24 hours, the challenge raised more than half a million dollars from 1,680 donors—340 of whom were faculty and staff.

The University Advancement team is deeply grateful to faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers, and community members for supporting Drake’s mission and vision. It is through philanthropic giving that we can support student scholarships, academic resources, faculty research, new technology, community partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities. Put simply, donor support allows us to transform the lives of our students and secure the University’s future.

Throughout the semester, I will continue to share updates in OnCampus on future fundraising goals and priorities. Specifically, look for an article next week regarding the Big Ideas initiative.

—John Smith, Vice President, University Advancement