All-time Record for Philanthropic Support of the University

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
fundraising graphic with wild-e cat

The University of New Hampshire closed its FY14 fundraising year ending on June 30, raising an all-time record of $49.2 million in private support. Nearly 20,000 donors made gifts to UNH. This year’s results are more than 35 percent above last year’s all-time record of $35.8 million.

“The unwavering commitment of UNH’s alumni and friends moves our great university forward, year after year,” said UNH President Mark Huddleston. “Our donors are investing generously and enthusiastically in the success of current and future students and faculty members. They are helping to transform the university and our state right before our eyes.”

Last September, the university announced a $20 million gift from Emmy-winning producer Marcy Carsey ’66. The gift was the fiscal year’s largest, establishing the new Carsey School of Public Policy opening this fall. The Carsey School is focused on providing graduate-level education that equips policy-makers to use research from a variety of disciplines to focus on complex 21st century issues.

Other leadership donations this past fiscal year include $1 million from J. Morgan Rutman ’84 and his wife Tara to support a number of strategic initiatives, a $1 million endowed scholarship fund for New Hampshire students from Michael Pilot ’84 and his wife Yvonne Tuberty Pilot ’84, and a $1.3 million gift from Josephine Lamprey to establish a professorship in climate and sustainability.

Lamprey’s hope is that her gift will take UNH’s nationally recognized work in sustainability beyond incubation. “We need to begin modeling solutions on a scale where people can see a difference – not to simply sustain the good life we have, but to dig deeper – to protect and preserve the good life.”

News of the year’s fundraising success comes shortly after UNH announced a record-setting incoming class of nearly 3,400 first year students for the fall. “Our students provide inspiration for so many of our alumni and friends who direct their philanthropy towards keeping the UNH experience special and of the highest quality,” said Debbie Dutton, president of the UNH Foundation and vice president for advancement. “Raising close to $50 million is a resounding vote of confidence in UNH and sends a loud and clear message that our institution is worthy of significant investment.”