UNC-Wilmington Seahawks are soaring high after a stellar year of contributions to the local college.
Campus officials recently announced a record-breaking $14.9 million in donations during the 2015-16 fiscal cycle. The total figure came from nearly 16,000 individual gifts – about half of which were $50 or less – that will benefit students, faculty, programs and facilities across all departments.
The milestone is an approximately 27 percent increase over 2014-15 and follows a steady upward trend in recent years. In 2012-13, UNCW brought in just under $9 million, topping that amount by around $600,000 the following year. Contributions then climbed to almost $12 million in 2014-15.
The continued rise could be due to UNCW’s “growing profile,” Chancellor Zito Sartarelli said, a profile that includes a growing number of national accolades as a top “bang for the buck” institution and for its strong support for veterans, among other recognition. Click here to see a full list of awards and rankings.
“I sincerely appreciate our donors’ generosity,” Sartarelli said. “Their support will help our university continue to provide a diverse, student-focused learning experience that emphasizes integrity, innovation and opportunities for a global education.”
This year’s pool of contributions include several major donations for student scholarships, as well as athletic facility improvements for softball, baseball and men’s basketball.
“UNCW has an enthusiastic and loyal donor base that is growing. Our institutional direction is encouraging, and alumni and donors are starting to sense real momentum. The energy within the UNCW community inspired people who were considering a gift to contribute or to increase their support for the university,” noted Eddie Stuart, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement.
Stuart’s notion bears weight, considering more faculty and staff gave to their employer this past fiscal year than 2014-15, with donations among that group increasing by 16 percent. Membership in the UNCW Society, a group reserved for donors of $250 or more, rose by 12 percent and alumni gave three percent more than last year.
