Written by Susan Berhow on ksu.edu.

MANHATTAN — Philanthropic gifts and commitments by alumni, friends, parents, faculty, students and corporate partners of Kansas State University totaled $141.5 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

This level of philanthropic support marks the third most successful year in charitable giving in the more than 70-year history of the Kansas State University Foundation, and the fourth consecutive year fundraising has topped $100 million.

“The support of our alumni and friends is a resounding endorsement of the leadership of the university and future of Kansas State University,” said retired Gen. Richard Myers, Arlington, Virginia, chairman of the KSU Foundation board of directors. “The K-State family continues to come together year after year in support of our great university, and I am excited for the bold future we will build together.”

Of the $141.5 million total, 34 percent is available for the university’s use immediately, while donors gave 66 percent through endowed gifts, pledges and deferred gifts, which will be utilized by the university at some point in the future.

“Increasingly, one of the most important funding sources for K-State are philanthropic dollars received through the KSU Foundation,” said Greg Willems, president and CEO of KSU Foundation. “The foundation plays an essential role in the university’s future by working with our generous alumni and friends to make a difference in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. This year’s success validates that K-Staters understand that the difference between good universities and great universities is private support. The impact of these gifts will be felt throughout the academy and will fuel the inspiration and innovation needed to reach the university’s goals, both in the near and long term.”

One of the most notable aspects of this year’s results was the $53 million in endowed gifts and commitments. Endowed gifts provide long-term funding for the purpose they support, including student scholarships and faculty chairs and professorships, and create a legacy for the donor. The growth of the Kansas State University endowment pool, managed by the KSU Foundation, also had a successful year, with the market value nearly hitting the $500 million mark.