Alumni and friends gave $177 million to West Virginia University this past year, making it the second highest year of giving in the University’s history.

For the fiscal year July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019, the WVU Foundation notes 20,857 donors, including 10,232 alumni, made 42,116 gifts totaling $177.4 million. This total is second only to $196.8 million donated in FY’12.

“We are blessed to have incredible people who support WVU. Every gift helps and when added together, the impact of this generosity is beyond measure,” said WVU Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer B.J. Davisson. “These investments help our students, faculty, and staff achieve in ways that would not otherwise be possible. I want to thank all of our donors from all over the state, country and world.”

Foundation officials say 27 donors gave $1 million or more to the University in FY’19. The contributions span all areas of the University, including academics, research, health sciences and athletics.

“With continuing financial pressures on state-supported institutions, private support from alumni and friends of West Virginia University has never been more important,” WVU President Gordon Gee said. “I am constantly humbled by the generosity of our supporters. At the same time, I am encouraged there are new friends who are just learning of the excellence of this institution and what it has to offer — not only our state but to the nation and world. It is truly a great day to be a Mountaineer.”

Direct student support including scholarships and fellowships totaled over $123 million, or nearly 70 percent of the total raised. The Foundation staff raised $39 million in bequest intentions, and estate/trust gifts of $11 million. Over 1,700 corporations made new gifts and pledges of $61 million, and 119 foundations donated $21 million.

Among major gifts received by the WVU Foundation in FY ’19: A leadership/naming donation from John Chambers benefiting the John Chambers College of Business and Economics; $4 million from the late Emil Czul for students attending Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources; and $2.3 million from the late Forest D. Coontz for undergraduate scholarships.

More than 19,500 donors gave to the Foundation’s annual giving program in FY’19. Successful initiatives included the second WVU Day of Giving which brought in $6.2 million and the Pride Travel Fund in support of the WVU Marching Band which donors gave more than $125,000.

Chartered in 1954, the WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of the University.