R TIME: ANNUAL FUND
The Annual Fund. Deemed so crucial to the university’s future, the funding mechanism became a fourth pillar of priority in the “Our Time” campaign. By definition, annual funds give colleges and universities the financial means to manage unforeseen developments and execute plans for growth. They cover shortfalls and provide working capital.
YOUR SUPPORT EACH AND EVERY YEAR
So it is with Oglethorpe’s annual fund. While we are so grateful to all of you who have supported Oglethorpe every year, it’s important for us to realize that annual giving from our alumni, compared to the giving rates of our peers, is quite low.
“Each year, only one or two out of every 10 Oglethorpe graduates give to the annual fund,” says Smyrl. “We’ve resolved to grow that participation rate substantially to a level that’s more on par with our peer institutions. More important, it would allow us to do so much more as a university.” Smyrl believes the low giving levels don’t reflect apathy on the part of Oglethorpe alumni. “It’s clear how much our graduates love their alma mater, and how much their experience here left a lasting impression on them,” he says. “I think the real reason our graduates don’t participate more is that they’re not fully aware of our momentum as a university, our plans to grow, and our many needs.” The comprehensive campaign is an opportunity to change that, Smyrl says. By building greater participation in the Annual Fund, Oglethorpe bolsters its case with companies and foundations. The university can point to a broad base of alumni support as a leverage point for generating larger grants and gifts.
YOUR SUPPORT EACH AND EVERY YEAR
FIG 1: ALUMNI GIVING
14% OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
PEER INSTITUTIONS
FIG 2: HOW OGLETHORPE COMPARES TO COLLEGES OF COMPARABLE SIZE AND MISSION
BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
$4.5M
MILLSAPS COLLEGE JACKSON, MISS.
$2.6M
AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE DECATUR, GA. OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY ATLANTA, GA.
The Oglethorpe Women’s Soccer team wraps up an early morning practice on the newly renovated track and field.
30%
$2.7M $1.3M 1M
2M
3M
4M
FALL 2013 | CARILLON 29