Despite a sluggish economic recovery and persistently high unemployment rates in the state in 2011, UNC raked in the second-highest tally of private donations in the University’s history.
Fundraising at UNC increased by 3 percent in 2011 to about $275 million. The University’s fundraising tally ranked 19th among public and private universities nationwide, according to the Council for Aid to Education, a nonprofit organization that conducts policy research in higher education.
The uptick in donations might indicate that the economy is improving, said Scott Ragland, director of development communications for UNC. Ragland said the University’s recent fundraising boost stems from a history of success in reaching out to donors.
CASE UNC CASE UNCOverall, colleges and universities raised more than $30 billion in 2011, according to the press release.
Personal giving, as opposed to donations from corporations and foundations, spurred the increase. Alumni donations increased almost 10 percent from 2010, and non-alumni gave almost 15 percent more in 2011.