FACULTY-STAFF CAMPAIGN ACHIEVES 43 PERCENT PARTICIPATION
Auburn University wrapped up this year’s Faculty-Staff Campaign with a record 43 percent participation. The campaign is part of the $500 million “It Begins at Auburn” fundraising effort for the university.
The campaign began in March. At that time, only nine percent of AU’s faculty and staff were contributing to the university. Since then, participation has more than quadrupled. Several areas achieved 100 percent participation including the School of Nursing, the Office of Development and the Office of Alumni Affairs. Building Services, a division of Facilities, also reached 100 percent.
“This is an astounding record and a success that the faculty and staff deserve to be very proud of,” said Bob McGinnis, vice president for development. “The dramatic rise in participation among the faculty and staff over a two-month period is almost unheard of in a fundraising campaign.”
The campaign was led by co-chairs Chris Roberts and Victoria Tate. Faculty and staff were encouraged to contribute to any school, college, department, program, scholarship or gift fund they preferred. Contributions from faculty and staff provide direct support for the areas of interest that are important to individual donors. These gifts also help encourage alumni and friends of the university to increase their support. The Faculty-Staff campaign will be an annual initiative.
Gifts by faculty and staff show a vote of confidence in AU and its mission, McGinnis said. Participation in the campaign has a strong impact when AU asks for support from corporations, foundations, the legislature, alumni and friends.
“The success of this campaign surpassed all of our expectations,” McGinnis said. “I sincerely thank all individuals who participated in this campaign. Your support will form the basis of the remainder of the university-wide campaign and will encourage significant gifts from our alumni and friends this year and into the future.”
The “It Begins at Auburn” campaign encompasses all colleges and schools as well as the library, athletics, Auburn University Montgomery and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Endowments for students, faculty, programs and unrestricted dollars make up 58 percent of the campaign’s goal.
In addition to endowments, the campaign will also focus on facilities and equipment, campus beautification, research and current operations. The campaign has raised more than $366 million, or 73 percent of the total goal.
