North Carolina Central University raised $8.8 million during the 2018-19 academic year, exceeding its fundraising goal by $1.1 million.
This record for fiscal year 2019 includes 7,018 donors and 29 newly established endowments.
"Part of NCCU’s overall fundraising strategy is to instill a vibrant culture of philanthropy throughout campus," said Harriet F. Davis, Ph.D., vice chancellor for the Division of University Advancement.
“Our slogan of ‘Every Eagle, Every Year,’ has been embraced and become part of the fabric of North Carolina Central University,” Davis said. “We believe that all of us have a responsibility for fundraising and charge our board, senior administrative team, deans and directors with connecting us with individuals, corporations and foundations who want to join with us as we deliver on our No. 1 priority of student success. In short, we are building an NCCU for tomorrow.”
Alumni donors began new endowments that will fund naming opportunities in the university’s new School of Business. Construction is set to begin in early 2020 on the state-of-the-art facility.
NCCU also worked to increase alumni giving and engagement, especially in Durham and other North Carolina counties, where more than 70% of NCCU alumni reside. The university hosted “Eagles, Let’s Talk,” an affinity approach to re-engage alumni to the university. These programmatic events are designed to increase alumni giving, and also increase engagement and volunteerism with NCCU.
Other fundraising highlights include:
- Increased the university’s endowment to $54 million with 29 new endowments. These dollars are used to support student scholarships, allowing the university to meet its goal to attract and retain more students from low-income and rural communities.
- Received $2.5 million from 4,100 alumni. Special effort was made to increase the number of first-time donors, as well as Millennials, Baby Boomers and Generation X donors.
Increasing the number of Generation Z donors, during a time in life when their income is lower but student debt potentially higher, creates the potential for developing a lifelong pattern of giving, Davis adds.
“Each year, more alumni, corporations, foundations and organizations are investing in North Carolina Central University. We have a strong brand and continue to deliver on The Eagle Promise, making our scholars more competitive in the marketplace,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., NCCU chancellor.
