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VWU Recognized as Outstanding Non-Profit in Fundraising
Broad community, alumni, and grantor support has shaped successful fundraising for Virginia Wesleyan
University News | November 28, 2018
Virginia Wesleyan University was recognized today as the 2018 Outstanding Non-Profit in Fundraising, awarded for its philanthropic achievements by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Hampton Roads Chapter during the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. VWU President Scott D. Miller accepted the award on behalf of the institution.
“Although this is tremendous recognition for our Center for Advancement, the fundraising and alumni- and parent-relations division of VWU,” said Dr. Miller, “we owe tremendous gratitude to those who make our success possible—our Board of Trustees, alumni and friends, corporations and foundations, faculty, staff, and students, parents and families, and other contributors. Their financial support to The Excellence Fund, endowed scholarships, capital projects, academic innovation, and many other programs and purposes at VWU enriches our mission of teaching, scholarship and service.”
Virginia Wesleyan has seen dramatic growth in major gift fundraising under the guidance of Dr. Miller. The University has raised more than $60 million in the last four years, resulting in a 143 percent increase in gifts and pledges compared to the four prior years. The University has already surpassed a $60 million capital campaign goal with a year remaining in the campaign.
Of particular note, according to AFP, Virginia Wesleyan has received support from the community (not including alumni of the institution and government grants) of more than $48 million or 94 percent of funds raised. Broad community support is demonstrated by contributions made from more than 2,000 unique donors.
Recent gifts have made many campus improvements and programs possible. Virginia Wesleyan has benefited in the last year from two national niche programs made possible through charitable giving: the state-of-the-art, award-winning Greer Environmental Sciences Center and the highly selective Batten Honors College, named for Jane Batten and her late husband Frank.
Contributions have funded a number of other significant projects, including the new Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center, TowneBank Park (softball), Birdsong Field (men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and recreation), the Frank Blocker Youth Center (home of YMCA Camp Red Feather and Tidewater Collegiate Academy), the Beacon, a Living Landscapes garden containing 25,000 plant species, a new greenhouse, and updates to technology and the residence halls. Also as a result of gifts came the addition of men’s and women’s swimming, initially funded by private donors, and the Opus student work program.
Dennie Allen received Virginia Wesleyan’s first diploma at the first commencement in 1970. Allen left his $2.5 million estate to Virginia Wesleyan, which renamed Village II in his honor.
Virginia Wesleyan also broke ground in December 2017 on the 23,000-square-foot Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The $11.6 million project is scheduled for completion in early 2019.
Broad community, alumni and grantor support has truly shaped a successful fundraising trend for Virginia Wesleyan University.
“We thank all of our donors for their consistent and heartfelt investment of trust and personal resources,” said President Miller.
Virginia Wesleyan University extends congratulations to honorees in other categories: Richard and Leah Waitzer, Outstanding Philanthropists; The Dragas Companies, Outstanding Corporation; Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Outstanding Foundation; Serena Amerson, Outstanding Fundraising Professional; Wendy Drucker, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; and The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Outstanding Community Organization. VWU's own Tiffany Williams, Director of Stewardship and Special Gifts in the Center for Advancement, serves as president of Junior League.