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University of Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UW Foundation?

Is the Foundation part of the University?

Why does UW need private contributions?

What are some examples of the Foundation's fund-raising programs?

How much money does the Foundation raise?

What is the size of the endowment the Foundation maintains on behalf of the University?

What is the "State Match"?

How does the "Do Not Call" Registry affect the Annual Fund?

How to make a matching gift?



What is the UW Foundation? - Top
The UW Foundation was established in 1962 to raise, receive, and manage private gifts, maximizing support for the University of Wyoming.

Is the Foundation part of the University? - Top
It is not part of the University or subordinate to state agencies or covered by state statutes. The Foundation is an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation operates in a cooperative, defined manner outlined in a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the UW Trustees and the UW Foundation Board to ensure that the Foundation is appropriately supporting UW’s private funding needs. The Foundation establishes its own investment policies and operates under the guidance of a 36-member board of directors, which includes two members from the University Trustees and the University president.

Why does UW need private contributions? - Top
The University of Wyoming receives approximately 44 percent of its total budget from state funding. Tuition covers approximately 11 percent of the UW budget.

By raising funds beyond these sources, the Foundation provides the University with monies to take advantage of special opportunities, enhance UW programs, and meet unexpected needs. The funding supplied by private gifts makes the difference between strong UW programs and exceptional ones.

What are some examples of the Foundation's fund-raising programs? - Top
The Annual Fund — Regular, yearly contributions in all amounts create a dependable and flexible source of revenue to provide student support, faculty enrichment, equipment, capital improvements, and other immediate needs and opportunities.

Major Gifts — Substantial one-time gifts create scholarships, fellowships, professorships, chairs, targeted funding for new or existing academic programs, and support major construction, expansion, or renovation of University buildings. Gift vehicles include cash, stock and securities, real estate, and personal property.

Planned Gifts — Planned or deferred gifts, funded through bequests, trusts, annuities, and retirement and insurance plans, allow a donor to leave a UW legacy while realizing financial, tax, and estate-planning benefits.

Matching Gifts — Many companies match employees’ charitable giving with a gift of their own. Their gifts are directed to the same college or program as were the employees’ original gifts.

Corporate and Foundation Gifts — Support for UW programs and research by local and national businesses, corporations, and foundations often comes in the form of cash, equipment, software, or scholarship/fellowship assistance in a discipline close to the donor's interests.

Honorary and Memorial Gifts — Special UW programs include The Tree and Bench Program for campus beautification and the UW Libraries Memorial Book Program. In addition, facility and scholarship naming opportunities exist campus wide.

How much money does the Foundation raise? - Top
Over the last year, the UW Foundation raised $24.3 million in private support for the University. During fiscal years 2001–2005, the annual average was $25.1 million, compared to fiscal years 1992–1997, the annual average for private support was $6.3 million.  The number of donors has grown tremendously over the last ten years. Last year, the number of donors totaled 26,778 compared to 16,100 in 1996.



What is the size of the endowment the Foundation maintains on behalf of the University? - Top
In the 2005 fiscal year, $7.8 million was generated for university use from the endowment. By June 30, 2005, the combined University and Foundation endowments had a market value of $214 million, an increase of 48.6 percent from $114 million three years ago. In 2005, 66 new endowments were created, bringing the total number of endowments to 950, an increase of 7.5% in the 2004-2005 fiscal year alone.

 



What is the "State Match"? - Top
Beginning in 2001, the Wyoming State Legislature established a $30 million state matching fund to match gifts for UW endowments. The funds were fully committed just 29 months later. An additional $18 million in state matching funds was set aside in the summer of 2004 and was fully committed just a year later in 2005, bringing the total funds matched during 2001-2005 to $48 million. In March of 2006, the Wyoming State Legislature made available $25 million more, to match dollar-for-dollar, endowment gifts of $50,000 or more to the University of Wyoming. Endowment gifts must be pledged by December 31, 2009, and fully paid by December 31, 2014.  Nine million dollars for academic facilities and $6 million for athletics facilities were also set aside to be matched, dollar for dollar for gifts of $25,000 or more. Those gifts must be pledged by December 31, 2009, and fully paid by December 31, 2011. Please call the UW Foundation for more information, 307-766-6300.



How does the "Do Not Call" Registry affect the Annual Fund? - Top
If the federal law supporting the National Do Not Call Registry is upheld, millions of Americans will continue receiving fewer unwanted telemarketing calls. The new registry limits most sales calls to numbers on the list. However, calls from political organizations, telephone surveyors, and charitable organizations – including the University of Wyoming – are exempt from the law.

At UW, we’re sensitive to the intrusion represented by certain telemarketing practices; at the same time, telephone campaigns provide the rare opportunity for us to reach out and speak to alumni and friends. The thousands of dollars annually raised by “tele-funding” allow us to continue and expand important programs at UW.

For instance, the UW Annual Fund phonathon raises some $350,000 each year in supplemental operating support and discretionary funds for administrators of colleges, departments, and programs at the university. Phonathon callers clearly identify themselves as UW students, not paid professional telemarketers. They often talk to UW’s alumni and friends about what has been happening on campus, in addition to updating alumni records and asking for support.

For concerns or questions about calls from UW’s Annual Fund, please call (307) 766-6300. To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry, visit www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222. Questions about calls from UW’s Cowboy Joe Club can be addressed by calling (307) 766-6242, and for more information regarding calls from Wyoming Public Radio, please call (307) 766-2418.

How to make a matching gift? - Top
Companies offering matching gift programs typically have forms or information packets in their human resources departments explaining the procedure. Usually, the employee making the charitable gift completes a short form and sends it to the recipient organization -- in this case, the University of Wyoming Foundation -- along with the gift or shortly after sending the gift. The form is then filled out by the UW Foundation verifying the date, purpose, and amount of the gift, and is returned to the company. When the matching gift is received, it is distributed for its designated purpose, and the employee is notified of its receipt.