Columbia College Fund Exceeds Goal, Raises $15.6 Million

Monday, August 15, 2011

The Columbia College Fund exceeded its Fiscal Year 2010–11 goal of $14.5 million and raised a record $15.6 million, thanks to the 11,000 alumni, parents, friends and Class of 2011 donors.

The Senior Fund also set a record, with 951 donors contributing to the effort. This represents 95 percent participation, exceeding the 93 percent goal, and in doing so securing a gift of $50,000 to the College Fund from Board of Visitors Emeritus Member Charles Santoro ’82. In the last decade, the number of donors to the Senior Fund has more than quadrupled; it was just 187 in 2001. Led by Director
Amanda Kessler and Senior Fund Chair Scott Maxfield ’11, the Senior Fund raised more than $21,800.

The Class of 1971 raised more than $1.2 million in honor of its 40th reunion, becoming the first College class to raise more than $1 million in unrestricted funds in one year. Parents again raised the bar. The Parents Fund, under the leadership of former Director Susan Rautenberg, Assistant Director Courtney Joseph and Co-chairs Dr. Mehmet and Lisa Oz P’12, exceeded its $2.1 million goal, raising $2.2 million.

“I am grateful to the hundreds of alumni and parent volunteers who led our efforts, and to each of the 11,000 donors who chose to support the College Fund this year,” said Laura Rose, senior executive director for development, Columbia College. “The alumni, parents and friends who support the College year after year have a direct and meaningful impact on our students’ experiences. Their combined gift of $15.6 million is a powerful vote of support for the College and its students.”

The hard work of fund Co-chairs Ira B. Malin ’75 and Michael P. Behringer ’89, Fund Development Council Co-chairs James P. Gerkis ’80 and Kyra Tirana Barry ’87, Class Agent Program Co-chairs Francis Phillip ’90 and Daniel Tamkin ’81 and all of the volunteer members of the College’s committees played a vital role in exceeding the goal. College alumni trustees, the Columbia College Board of Visitors and the Columbia College Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as the dedicated staff of the Alumni Office, under the leadership of Rose and Sherri Jones, senior executive director, alumni affairs
and communications, also were instrumental in the fund’s success.

Unrestricted annual giving is a necessary ingredient in Columbia’s success, providing current and immediately usable funds for the College’s operations. The largest such application of unrestricted
annual giving is financial aid, helping to preserve need-blind admission and full-need financial aid. Annual giving also bolsters the student services and activities that enhance the quality of undergraduate life and sustains the Core Curriculum. Gifts to the Columbia College Fund count toward the $5 billion goal of the Columbia Campaign, which launched in 2005. In FY11, the Columbia Campaign raised $670 million in new gifts and pledges.

To make a gift to the Columbia College Fund in FY12, go to college.columbia.edu/giveonline or call 212-851-7488.

Lisa Palladino