Wittenberg University is excited to announce that the 2021-22 fundraising year was one of the most successful in modern times. With the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022, Wittenberg’s total giving to the college was $14,719,090.83, the highest on record in recent history. This includes pledges, planned gifts, and cash gifts.
The University also experienced new highs with its record-breaking Commit to Witt campaign. This year’s event was themed “1845 MINUTES OF GIVING” and took place over two days, March 10-11, with a range of opportunities to invest in and secure the University’s next 175 years. The event brought in a total of $640,911. Fifty-two challenges totaling $210,739, along with 1,532 gifts from 1,323 donors residing in seven countries, 50 states and Washington, D.C., helped fuel success.
“I cannot adequately express how grateful we are to all our alumni and friends whose generosity allowed Wittenberg to have this exceptional year,” said Rebecca Kocher, vice president of advancement and alumni engagement. “This level of support directly impacts our students and their living-learning experience and enables Wittenberg to innovate and thrive.”
Throughout the fiscal year, Wittenberg received gifts from 3,794 alumni and 145 friends for a total of 3,939 donors. Funds raised during the 2022 fiscal year are counted toward the current comprehensive campaign, Having Light. Donors generously gifted funds in support of scholarships, experiential learning, internships, career development, faculty research and support, campus beautification and more. Additionally, Wittenberg broke records in terms of donor engagement with 440 first-time donors and 702 Benjamin Prince Society members. The University also saw a significant increase in Hawley Society members. Lastly, Wittenberg helped to facilitate nearly 50 alumni events/programs, which brought in a combined attendance of 1,824 participants.
The momentum also continued through Having Light: The Campaign for Wittenberg University, which endeavors to raise $100 million in support of all that defines the University: the people, who inquire, create, inspire, and compete here; the place, where we come together as a community and welcome others to learn and grow; and the present when the next generation of Wittenberg graduates learns to pass on its light. As of June 30, 2022, the campaign has raised $98,670,855.04 and is set to surpass the ambitious goal well ahead of schedule.
The Wittenberg light has shone brightly since 1845, a feat the University will celebrate with an upcoming, campaign event on Friday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Center of Clark County in Springfield. Members of the Springfield and Dayton alumni chapters, along with faculty and staff, will join President Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D., who will share remarks.
“At every step in this campaign, we are celebrating the impact this level of philanthropic support has on our students and the personalized educational experience we provide,” Frandsen said. “We are humbled and grateful to have a community of alumni and friends that truly understands what it means to pass one’s light.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the campaign should visit https://havinglight.wittenberg.edu.
