Northwest donors set annual giving record
NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY PHOTO
The Cofer family of Lake St. Louis was named Northwest Missouri State University Family of the Year during last weekend’s Family Weekend celebration. All three daughters of Scott and Kelly Cofer (pictured second and fifth from right) — Madison, Meagan, and Marlee — currently attend Northwest. The family is pictured here with Spencer Martin (left) of Campus Dining, which sponsors the award, and Northwest President John Jasinski (right). Family connections are proving vital these days at Northwest, which this week announced a new annual donor funding record of $7.4 million.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Northwest Foundation, the fundraising arm of Northwest Missouri State University, secured $7.4 million in donor funding during the 2016 fiscal year, which included nearly $6.1 million in cash contributions.
University officials stated that the total marks the highest giving level recorded by the foundation in any given year, exceeding the organization’s annual goal by more than $1.4 million.
According to a Northwest release, much of the money will go for scholarships, long one of the foundation’s central missions.
The foundation awarded an all-time high of just under $856,000 in scholarships to 1,210 students during fiscal 2016, an increase of 57 awards and nearly $115,000 over the previous record.
In addition, the foundation claimed a 97 percent increase in 1905 Society memberships during 2016. The society is Northwest’s premier entity for annual donors and comprises supporters who make annual unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more.
The release stated that society membership has doubled since its inaugural year in 2013.
“We are grateful for the passion and support provided by donors,” said Northwest President John Jasinski. “Their gifts stand as a testimony to what it means to be a Bearcat — caring, connecting, and supporting in the name of learning. Such strong private support of Northwest is another indicator of the momentum in place and helps us propel to new levels.”
The university also reported that its donor-supported Adopt-a-Bearcat program awarded scholarships over the past year to 175 students worth nearly $100,000, an increase of around $13,000.
Adopt-a-Bearcat contributions are matched by the Foundation in $250 increments with the minimum scholarship award set at $500.
On other fronts, the total number of donors supporting the foundation’s annual giving program increased by nearly 7 percent.
Giving by Northwest faculty and staff increased by more than 30 percent, increasing the level of such donations to its highest percentage in school history.
“A record year exemplifies donors’ desire to impact our students’ success, faculty and staff support, and a campus relevant and valued in positioning a better tomorrow,” said Mike Johnson, vice president of university advancement. “I offer my humble thanks to all involved in inspiring the investment in our institution.”
A 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation, the Northwest Foundation is governed by a 33-member volunteer board of directors and staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement.
For more information about the foundation, call 660.562.1248 or go to www.nwmissouri.edu/giveonline.
