UMUC donor gifts rise 60 percent

Patrick Madden, left, and Dennis Narango

April may have been the cruelest month to T.S. Eliot, but April was kind to UMUC's Office of Institutional Advancement.

"We had approximately $1.1 million last year, as opposed to $1.8 million this year," said Patrick Madden, vice president for Institutional Advancement. Therefore, UMUC has raised its gift revenue by 60 percent. For the first time, UMUC is poised to pass the $2 million dollar mark.

"What's making us succeed is a communication by the entire University. It really has been an amazing effort from our president on down," said Madden.

According to Madden, UMUC staff, such as Kim Kelley, Mary Ellen Hrutka, Kim Vaughn, Eric Dent, Sandy Harriman, Hassan Asabi, Kim Bonner, Roxanne Zaghab, and Beverly Lucas, have provided invaluable assistance to the fundraising team by making business contacts with potential donors.

"It's the new face of philanthropy at UMUC," said Madden of the community effort. "It's exciting because the potential for gifts to come into this university is only going to happen with their help. Hats off to our faculty and staff because they're making a difference."

Two new programs that have particularly interested donors are The Art of China at UMUC collection and Better Opportunities through Online Education, a joint initiative launched by the University and Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake.

UMUC is in the midst of its Capital Campaign, as well. According to Dennis Narango, director of development, Institutional Advancement's goal is to raise $10.5 million by June 2002. Already, we have raised $9 million, with a year to go, he said.

"We are positioned to not only meet the goal but to actually exceed it," said Narango. "The strong participation by faculty and staff in supporting the campaign has really helped to leverage our ability to go out and receive larger gifts."

What's next for the fundraising office? In November 2001, a major event is planned to benefit Better Opportunities. In addition, the office has set another goal: to acquire a million-dollar gift.

"We're trying to take fundraising to another level," said Narango.