The generosity of the University of North Texas family reached an all-time high this year with more than $36.6 million raised to benefit students, research and programming. This is the second consecutive year the Division of Advancement has achieved record-setting fundraising results.
“The outstanding accomplishments of our Advancement team will allow us to build upon the momentum happening across UNT and help us push forward in better helping our students achieve their goals by giving them the best possible education and the tools they need to be successful at UNT – and beyond,” UNT President Neal Smatresk said. “We hit a high watermark for gifting last year, and I’m proud of the team.”
Highlights of the 2017-18 fiscal year include:
- Overall commitments grew to more than $36.6 million. Significant gifts include:
- More than $9 million from the Paul Voertman Estate benefitting the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Music and College of Visual Arts and Design with a considerable amount supporting student scholarships at the colleges.
- $1.6 million from the Greater Texas Foundation to support the High School Career Connect peer mentoring program.
- $700,000 from College of Music alumni John (’72) and Lindy (’72) Rydman, founders of the Spec’s Charitable Foundation, for renovations to the Music Building.
- Sizeable research gifts such as the Hoblitzelle Foundation benefitting the College of Engineering for biomedical engineering laboratories, John Carmichael for a professorship for the College of Business and the Lupe Murchison Foundation for autism research.
- Cash contributions increased 48 percent to more than $29 million.
- New gifts to endowments rose 181 percent to $15.8 million.
This growth in giving was driven by increased engagement with UNT alumni and friends resulting in a rise in the number of donors.
- Overall number of donors rose 68 percent to 15,490.
- Grassroots donations from annual giving donors provided nearly $6 million.
- In the inaugural year, the Diamond Eagles Giving Society funded the Diamond Eagles Family Patio at the Alumni Pavilion at Apogee Stadium.
- UNT Alumni Association set another record for membership of 14,287 while creating additional regional programming in Austin, Houston and San Antonio to connect with alumni across the state.
- Call Mean Green Phonathon student callers increased commitments more than 250 percent.
- Athletic donors invested heavily in facility upgrades including a new Indoor Practice Facility that will impact all student athletes.
“The generosity and commitment of our alumni and university friends have continued to build upon the solid foundation that we established last year,” said David Wolf (Ph.D. ’04), vice president for Advancement. “I’m so proud and grateful for the support from our UNT family who continue to impact the lives of our students every year and leave an enduring legacy that spans our entire university.”