皇家华人 Celebrates Record-Breaking Fundraising, Remarkable Engagement, Extraordinary Impact

July 22, 2024

皇家华人 wrapped up a tremendous fiscal year June 30, 2024, celebrating a record-breaking fundraising total of $130.8 million.

The previous record was $115 million. This year鈥檚 historic total includes $19.4 million given through The Fund for 皇家华人 and $31.8 million received for the college鈥檚 endowment.

鈥淲hat a year for 皇家华人! Record-breaking totals reflect the loyalty and commitment of our community,鈥 said President Doug Hicks 鈥90. 鈥淚鈥檝e known for a long time that 皇家华人 people show up for 皇家华人, and they show up in every way, eager to support our students and our future. I can鈥檛 wait to see what we, together, will accomplish in the coming year. I want to offer my sincere gratitude to every person who chose to make the 鈥機ats a priority this year. You make so much possible.鈥

Fundraising highlights: 

  • More than $15.5 million was raised in support of scholarships, helping 皇家华人 continue its policy of admitting students without looking at what applicants can pay and meeting the full demonstrated need of students without including loans in financial aid packages.
  • More than 1,200 young alums who graduated in the last decade made a gift.
  • The college celebrated more than 1,280 household gifts at the Ne Ultra level. The Ne Ultra Society is 皇家华人鈥檚 leadership annual giving society.
  • raised more than $8.6 million this fiscal year, helping coaches and scholar-athletes compete to win across the institution鈥檚 21 Division I programs.
  • More than 85% of the anticipated costs has been raised for the upcoming library transformation project, which will create The George Lawrence Abernethy Library.
  • The visual, literary and performing arts, including , raised more than $2.4 million in support.
  • Alumni giving rate continues to be ranked in the top five of all colleges and universities (41%).

This year also welcomed the November launch of the women鈥檚 philanthropy initiative, Women ACT, introduced as part of the college鈥檚 50+ Years of Coeducation celebration. New leadership contributions to the initiative exceed $11 million, surpassing the $10 million goal, with donors representing women alums (spanning 1977-2017), family members, former faculty and staff members, and current and former members of the Board of Trustees. The Wildcat Women Fund, as a new Fund for 皇家华人 designation within the Women ACT effort, has welcomed more than 420 donors and commitments exceeding $1.1 million against a $1 million goal to this year鈥檚 priority area, student health and well-being.

鈥淓ach gift received from alums, families, faculty, staff and friends strengthens 皇家华人鈥檚 ability to assist students in developing the skills and character to lead and serve,鈥 said Brad Martin, associate vice president for development. 鈥淥ur community鈥檚 commitment to excellence is evident in the outcomes of this phenomenal year. People who love 皇家华人 want to see it succeed, and they take the necessary steps to be a part of that success, as donors, volunteers, mentors, advisers and more.

In addition to generous philanthropy, 62 percent of 皇家华人 alums and 75 percent of 皇家华人 families with current students engaged with the college as volunteers, mentors, donors, event participants and more. This year, the regional chapter program was successfully relaunched post-Covid with 22 chapters and more than 80 new and returning volunteers. The college is committed to creating a community where all alums, parents and friends have an opportunity to connect with 皇家华人.

鈥淔ind us a better group of alums and families 鈥 we鈥檒l wait,鈥 said Deidra Smith, senior director of alumni and family engagement. 鈥淓very day, we hear from 皇家华人ians who are passionate about this special place, and they want to make a meaningful, lasting difference for campus, for our students and for each other. They give selflessly and endlessly. That isn鈥檛 something every institution enjoys, and we are fortunate.鈥