Unrestricted funds provide unlimited possibilities
Hear where the one percent of gifts not designated to a specific campus cause end up.
Giving is most meaningful when it’s personal, when it’s aligned with what matters most to us.
This is something our donors definitively value, as 99 percent of all gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation are directed by their givers to a specific cause on campus – whether it be a scholarship fund, college academic program, research program or a plethora of other options.
So, then, what about the one percent of gifts not designated to a specific campus cause?
These gifts are obviously just as valuable and appreciated by the University of Nebraska. Each year, these gifts combine to enable the university to do some rather impressive things.
From the unrestricted donations given this year, the University of Nebraska Foundation was able to award more than $760,000 in grants across the university to support global engagement opportunities for students and to purchase new medical research equipment.
University President James B. Milliken requested this year’s unrestricted gifts support the priorities of the Campaign for Nebraska, a comprehensive fundraising initiative for the university.
Specifically, the gifts helped:
University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s education abroad program to support students who have never had an international experience.
University of Nebraska at Kearney’s study abroad program which introduces freshmen to international concepts before offering education abroad.
University of Nebraska at Omaha’s study abroad program with emphasis on service learning opportunities in Latin America.
University of Nebraska Administration’s universitywide study abroad programs, including a program developed with a leading private university in Brazil.
And these gifts also allowed the University of Nebraska Medical Center to acquire a next-generation DNA sequencing device used for various medical treatments and research.
Barbara Weitz of Omaha, chair of the foundation’s grants committee, says unrestricted gifts play an important role in meeting priorities of the university’s current campaign.
“While the vast majority of gifts to the university are designated for a specific use by donors, we are grateful for these unrestricted gifts that make our grant program available to the university,” Weitz says. “It’s inspiring to know these grants will help connect many more students with the world around them and also improve critical research efforts at our medical center.”
For even more information about the 2012 grant awards, see the foundation’s 2012 grants announcement.
Global engagement is one of the top priorities of the Campaign for Nebraska. If you’d like to contribute to this, please consider giving online or contact the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216.
