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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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College fundraising has become pivotal

The University of Washington recently announced a $5 billion fundraising campaign, to be completed by 2020. Last year, Washington State University exceeded its $1 billion goal for a fundraising effort that was launched in 2010.

These huge fundraisers might prompt some to ask, “Aren’t these public schools?”

They’re supposed to be, but the pressures from K-12 mandates, corrections, health care and an electorate uninterested in tax increases has put the squeeze on colleges and universities. This is a nationwide trend that has forced university presidents to be as adept at fundraising as they are at managing academic institutions.

A look back illustrates how the landscape has changed.

In 1990, the state covered 80 percent of the per-student funding at UW (legislative funding and tuition combined). Now it’s 32 percent. This trend was exacerbated when the Great Recession delivered its body blow to government revenue.

Higher education’s share of the budgetary pie isn’t about to widen in Washington state, as lawmakers grapple with the final stage of fully funding basic K-12 education and a mental health crisis. Both problems have courts watching closely.

So, enter fundraising.

The University of Washington had already raised more than $3 billion before making its recent announcement. A successful campaign, according to a UW news release, “allows the UW to offer scholarships and unique programs and research opportunities for students, recruit and retain world-class faculty, build and maintain buildings around campus to expand capacity and increase the lifespan of existing structures, and much more.”

Some areas of emphasis include improving public health, advancing UW Medicine’s education, research and patient care, and expanding capacity for computer science and engineering, all of which are sorely needed.

To get an idea of the importance of fundraising, consider what WSU recently gained from its campaign:

The creation of 444 scholarships and fellowships endowments worth $338 million; 62 research and support endowments for faculty worth $383 million, and $344 million for programs and facilities, including about $85 million for Cougar athletics.

Donations of $26 million from Paul G. Allen and $25 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation support construction of WSU’s Center for Global Animal Health. The Gene and Linda Voiland School for Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering received $17 million from its namesakes to fund professorships and research into energy conversion technology.

While universities do receive big donations from wealthy supporters, many people give. WSU had more than 206,000 donors, and less than half were alumni. UW has had the same experience.

Donations from diverse sources demonstrate a healthy recognition of the importance of thriving college and universities, even as tax dollars are siphoned off.

Like it or not, private fundraising has become a crucial component in enhancing higher education.

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