Corporations Boost Clemson Giving for 2003-04

by CLEMSONews - Wed Aug 04 13:15:30 GMT-04:00 2004

CLEMSON -- Led by BMW, corporate gifts for Clemson University jumped 142 percent in the fiscal year that ended June 30. Corporations gave more than $12 million in 2003-2004. Total giving from alumni, friends, foundations and corporations topped $26.4 million, a slight increase over the previous year's $26.3 million.

"We're very pleased that we exceeded last year's total in the midst of a volatile economy, especially considering that last year's total included one of the largest gifts in Clemson's history -- $10 million from Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater for the Eugene T. Moore School of Education," said JoVanna King, interim chief development officer.

"This was another good year, which included several significant major gifts, including gifts from BMW, Michelin, IBM and Microsoft," said Neill Cameron, Clemson's vice president for advancement.

Those companies also are partners with Clemson and the state of South Carolina in the university's emerging International Center for Automotive Research, a 400-acre graduate education and research campus being developed in Greenville that could make South Carolina the hub of the nation's automotive and motor sports industry cluster.

"With world-class corporate partners like those, Clemson is quickly becoming a driving force in South Carolina's economic future," Cameron said.

In addition to the cash and pledges Clemson received in 2003-04, the university added $6.1 million to its inventory of planned gifts and bequests.

"That money will help secure Clemson's future," said King.

For example, the university realized $2.6 million from bequests in 2003-04, including $1 million from the estate of Ernest and Virginia Carroll of Rock Hill that will be used for unrestricted scholarships.

Purposes for Which Donors to Clemson University and the Clemson University Foundation Made Gifts in 2003-04

Unrestricted $755,591

College Restricted $152,618

Restricted $8,155,787

Building & Equipment $430,917

Unrestricted Endow $71,277

Restricted Endow $14,474,831

Trust/Deferred Gifts $959,066

Gifts-In-Kind $1,446,633

Total $26,446,720