Just as Wittenberg is expecting a record number of students this fall, investments in support of the university’s mission are also exceeding expectations.

Compared to its established 2016 fiscal-year goals and 2015 fiscal-year results, Wittenberg’s Office of Advancement has surpassed multiple metrics designed to measure fundraising success. Those metrics include total cash-in, annual giving, cash into the endowment, alumni participation and faculty/staff participation.

As of July 14, total cash-in stands at $9.1 million, $900,000 more than goal and $1.5 million more than FY 15. In terms of Wittenberg’s annual fund, results indicate another marked increase of $1.2 million more over the FY16 goal for a total of $3.3 million, $800,000 more than what was achieved the previous year.

Additionally, cash into the endowment came in at $4.1 million compared to the goal of $1.5 million; alumni participation went up nearly two percentage points compared to FY 2015, and faculty and staff participation rose six percentage points over goal.

“These metrics are the highest they have been in more than five years,” said Interim President Dick Helton. “I am very proud of our Advancement staff and our incredibly dedicated community of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, retirees and students who want to see Wittenberg thrive.”

Alicia Sweet Hupp, 1982 alumna, a member of the Wittenberg Board of Directors and chair of the Board’s Committee on Advancement and Alumni, agreed. She also praised the Advancement staff for the fundraising success the university is experiencing.

“I am extremely grateful for all of the hard work and effort the Advancement team has dedicated to Wittenberg fundraising,” Hupp said.  “Every advancement team member, under the leadership of Vice President Wendy Kobler, has worked tirelessly to improve our giving participation and revenues. The fiscal year-end numbers are outstanding and a direct result of Advancement leadership and teamwork. The team’s strong performance also helps ensure that we look strong with annual evaluation agencies as gift revenues provide important budgetary support.”