Virginia Tech recognized for fundraising excellence

Virginia Tech’s sustained success in fundraising has been recognized with CASE 50 membership by the Council on Advancement and Support of Education, the world’s leading nonprofit association for alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services.

CASE 50 designation is reserved for the top 75 advancement institutions globally, based on a five-year rolling average of cash received, new gifts and commitments raised, and peer recommendations, as reported through the annual CASE Insights on Voluntary Support of Education survey.

Thanks to the generosity of Hokies around the world, the university’s Advancement Division raised over $224.7 million in new gifts and commitments during the fiscal year that ran July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Nearly $200.5 million in cash was received. It was the third consecutive year of more than $200 million in new gifts and commitments and the second straight year of over $200 million in cash.

“Virginia Tech is proud to join the CASE 50, reflecting our Advancement Division’s hard work to connect with our worldwide family of alumni, partners, and friends,” said university President Tim Sands. “Virginia Tech is leading in fields of research that are transforming industry and society, and Hokies are extraordinarily passionate about their university. Advancement does an excellent job leveraging these strengths to engage tens of thousands of people in support of the university each year, dramatically enhancing what we can accomplish as an institution.”

Total giving to nonprofits decreased nationwide last year, which has happened only three other times in the past 40 years, according to the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Nevertheless, at Virginia Tech, the undergraduate alumni giving percentage held steady, at over 20 percent, for a second straight year.

“During a year of rising interest rates, stock market volatility, and economic uncertainty, Hokies remained remarkably constant in their generosity,” said Senior Vice President for Advancement Charlie Phlegar. “Thank you, everyone who gave. It makes a huge impact to be able count on your support. You make it possible for students to attend, for discoveries to be made, and for teams to win.”

The fiscal year’s giving brought progress to $1.417 billion on Virginia Tech’s Boundless Impact Campaign as of June 30, 2023. Boundless Impact launched in 2019, runs through 2027, has goals to raise $1.872 billion in new gifts and commitments and engage 100,000 alumni in meaningful ways.

Advancement exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal for the Beyond Boundaries Scholars program, whose gifts are matched dollar for dollar by the university. Over 150 households made qualifying gifts.

The extent of Hokie Nation’s generosity was particularly evident on Giving Day. More than 16,000 donors gave $9.6 million over 24 hours between Feb. 15 and 16, which were record numbers of participants and dollars for the annual event. Over 66,000 individuals, corporations, or foundations, or other organizations gave during the year as a whole, including more than 47,000 alumni.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see so many people come together each year in support of this great university,” said Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Advancement Rhonda Arsenault. “Our work is a real team effort, with hundreds of colleagues and volunteers doing all they can to help Virginia Tech. The past year was special, and this year we’re excited to accomplish even more.”   

Throughout the year, donors stepped forward in support of all the university’s colleges and numerous programs. Laura Belmonte is dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, which saw giving nearly quadruple.

“Giving is powerful,” Belmonte said. “It makes exciting new programs possible, enables talented students to be here, and enhances many of our innovations in teaching and research. Faculty, staff, and students can all see how much better Virginia Tech is thanks to those who give, and we are very grateful.”

New gifts and commitments averaged $231 million over the past three years. The Advancement Division aims to grow that average to $300 million this decade.

“We are happy to be members of CASE 50 and grateful to every one of the donors who helped us qualify,” Phlegar said. “Advancement is committed to building on this strong progress to serve Virginia Tech to even greater degree going forward.”