Annual Giving raises $44.6M, $11.4M short of goal

The Great Recession has claimed it's latest victim inside the Orange Bubble: Annual Giving.

The University's annual push for unrestricted funds brought in $44,597,633-- $11.4 million shy of the campaign's $56 million goal. And 57.7 percent of undergrad alumni took part, shy of the participation goal of 61 percent.

The news is certainly not surprising given the severity of the economic downturn over the last 18 months. Even last March AG officials said they knew this year's campaign would be a tough one...especially compared to the successes of the last two campaigns.

Last year, AG raked in $54.1 million from 59.2 percent of alumni, while the 2007 campaign brought in $49 million with 58.5 percent alumni participation. The 2006 drive raised $40.4 million from 58.2 percent of alumni.

Participation was high among the most-recent alumni classes: 90.7 percent of the Class of 2009 pledged to support AG for the next four years. The Class of 2008 recorded 75.2 percent participation-- the highest ever for a first Reunion. The Class of '07 saw 73.7 participation, also a record for the second Reunion.