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McInerny Foundation Renews its Fund Matching Program with the University of Hawaiʻi
$50,000 Grant Works to Stimulate Alumni Giving and Raise Profile of UH Annual Giving Program
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) -In an effort to encourage increased
giving to the University of Hawai
ʻi by its alumni, the McInerny
Foundation recently renewed its Match Program with a grant of $50,000
to the university through the University of Hawai
ʻi Foundation (UHF).
The goal of the grant is to encourage first-time alumni donors
to give and established alumni donors to increase their giving, with the
goal of significantly expanding fundraising levels to the university.
"We are extremely grateful to the McInerny
Foundation, not only for the previous support we've received with its
Match Program, but for
renewing its commitment again this year," said UH Foundation President
Betsy Sloane. "The incentive to give that is promoted by the McInerny
Match is an invaluable tool to stimulate alumni giving, and just
as importantly, generate alumni interest in reconnecting with the university
and learning
more about the growth and excellence that continues on here."
The McInerny Match Program encourages alumni giving
by matching gifts -up to $100 -from alumni who have never
given to the university. The program also supports increased giving
by established
alumni donors by matching gifts that are up to $100 more than
the most recent gift made by an alumnus. Alumni choose which campus
and/or program
they want to fund with matching gifts made to that same campus
and/or program.
Over the past four years, since the first McInerny
Match was launched more than 7,500 first-time alumni donors have risen
to the challenge, increasing contributions to nearly every
campus, program and department throughout the state.
More than $245,000 has been raised among first-time
alumni whose gifts were eligible to be matched. Combined with the $140,000
in matching funds from the McInerny Foundation, a total of nearly
$400,000 has been
raised.
Alumni participation is also at an all-time high with a 12 percent
participation for the university system and a 15 percent participation
rate for UH Mānoa.
Commented Kevin Takamori, associate vice president
of alumni relations, "These figures demonstrate that our alumni recognize
the importance of higher education, value the education they received
at the University of Hawai
ʻi and are willing to support this belief
with a commitment of their own financial resources.
"Alumni are one of our most important constituencies
because they are instrumental in promoting our reputation as a world
class institution.
In terms of fund raising, recruiting the best students, and maintaining
a first-rate faculty and infrastructure, building a strong base
of alumni support is critical to the future success of the university," he
added.
The UH Foundation is promoting the McInerny Match
through direct-mail and calling campaigns. University of Hawai
ʻi students at the Foundation's
student calling center are making phone calls to alumni to request a gift
and present the matching opportunity made available by the McInerny Foundation.
About the University of Hawai
ʻi Foundation
The University of Hawai
ʻi Foundation is an
independent, non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise
funds according to priorities determined
by the academic leadership of the University of Hawai
ʻi. Founded
in 1955, the UH Foundation provides a full range of fund raising
and alumni relations services for all 10 UH campuses, providing
leadership and implementation
of UH's private fund raising efforts. For more information on
the UH Foundation, visit
www.uhf.hawaii.edu.