Faculty/Staff Campaign Celebrates Record-Breaking Year<br>

Faculty/Staff Campaign Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

Nearly $10.4 million raised as more faculty and staff give than ever before.

Date: 7/22/2009 10:00:00 AM
By: Tim Russell

Other Contact: Judy See
Other Contact Phone: (513) 556-6724

Despite one of the worst recessions in recent memory, 2,765 current and retired UC employees have come together to surpass all previous participation and fundraising records by contributing nearly $10.4 million to the fifth annual University-wide faculty/staff giving campaign, We’re ALL Proudly Cincinnati.

The numbers represent a 22 percent increase in the number of donors and almost $1.3 million more raised than last year’s effort, which saw 2,271 employees contribute nearly $9.1 million.

Since the first university-wide effort in 2005, UC’s faculty/staff campaigns have raised $44,098,802.

“I’m inspired by the level of generosity and dedication demonstrated by UC’s faculty and staff,” said Mike Carroll, president of The University of Cincinnati Foundation. “Even in these difficult economic times, employees answered the call and gave what they could to strengthen our institution and support our students, on top of their everyday efforts as faculty and staff. We’re very fortunate to have employees who view their role at the university as more than just a job.”

All gifts received through June 30 from active faculty and staff – along with retirees, adjunct and emeriti faculty – were counted towards the campaign total. Additionally, active faculty and staff engaged in a friendly competition to see which college or unit could achieve the highest percentage of participation and attract the most donors. Both the President’s Office and the UC Foundation achieved a 100 percent participation rate, while the College of Medicine led the way in participation with 366 donors.

Behind the UC Foundation and President’s Office, the Office of Governmental Relations recorded an 86 percent participation rate, followed by Athletics (77 percent) and Allied Health Sciences (67 percent). Arts & Sciences came in second behind the College of Medicine with 147 donors, followed by Administration and Finance (145), the UC Foundation (116) and Athletics (92).

The gifts faculty and staff made will support excellence in almost every area of the university. Many chose to support their own college by making gifts to the Dean’s discretionary fund, which helps bolster student scholarship and financial aid and allows for upgrades in facilities and technology. Others chose to support scholarship programs like Darwin T. Turner Scholars and Lindner Honors-PLUS Scholars, and many gave to areas that make them proud to be a part of UC – like groundbreaking medical research, student life and activities funds, and Athletics.

“From our campaign co-chairs and team captains to individual donors, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s historic campaign,” said UC Interim President Monica Rimai. “The devotion of our faculty and staff to this annual campaign – through hard times as well as good – is a very telling signal to the community, alumni and our other donors that we care deeply about UC and its mission.”

Not only did this year’s campaign break records, it also moved UC’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Proudly Cincinnati, past the $500 million fundraising mark. Jim Berns, manager of the woodshop and metal studio in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, made the gift that specifically moved Proudly Cincinnati past the halfway mark, and was honored at a surprise ceremony in June. In fact, almost one-tenth of the money raised through Proudly Cincinnati has been from faculty and staff gifts – demonstrating that all gifts, regardless of size, add up to meaningful private support for the university.

“Ever since the first faculty/staff campaign, our message has been simple – get involved,” said Judy See, director of annual giving at the UC Foundation. “It’s exciting to look back and see how much progress we’ve made in a few years, with almost 900 more donors giving to this year’s campaign than the first effort. The success we’ve enjoyed wouldn’t be possible without the goodwill of UC’s faculty and staff. These numbers demonstrate to the world that even when dollars are tight, We’re ALL Proudly Cincinnati.”