UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FINDS GREAT SUCCESS IN RAISING FUNDS

The Southeast Missouri University Foundation has been a money maker for the school, garnering cash gifts and property totaling more than $4.46 million in the last fiscal year alone.

Of that total, $2.6 million was in cash gifts the most ever since establishment of the foundation a decade ago.

"We had a tremendous year," said Robert Foster, the foundation's executive director.

Foster said cash gifts were up 44 percent in 1992-93 over the $1.8 million raised the previous fiscal year. The fiscal year ended June 30.

The $4.46 million in cash gifts and property was substantially less than the $7.5 million received in 1991-92. But Foster said that's because the university received some major gifts of property two years ago.

In 1983-84, the foundation's first year, gifts of cash and property totaled more than $1 million. Property includes both real estate and other items, such as collections.

Foster said 2,336 people made gifts to the foundation of $100 or more in 1992-93.

Southeast alumni gave more than $2.2 million in cash gifts and property last fiscal year, while non-alumni contributed more than $1.1 million. Firms and corporations gave more than $893,000 to the university foundation, Foster said.

The foundation's Horizon Club, its planned giving club, currently has 64 members, with a total of $8.7 million earmarked for the university in wills or insurance policies.

The university's Booster Club is also an important factor in fund raising. The club, which has more than 1,000 members, raised $419,381 for Southeast last fiscal year compared to $353,535 in 1991-92.

The university foundation has also done well in terms of investment income.

"This (past) fiscal year we received more money in investments than we received in cash gifts our first year," Foster said.

In 1992-93, investment income totaled $811,472. In 1983-84, cash gifts totaled $620,703.

The foundation has total endowment funds of $7.2 million compared to more than $2.1 million a decade ago, Foster said.

"I think people now truly realize how much of a difference they can make to the quality of the university through their gifts," he said.

Foster continues to give money to the foundation. "I want to make a difference in this world and I can't find a better way to do it than through the foundation."