It's shaping up to be a good fiscal year for University fundraising. Earlier this week, the administration announced that donations have more than doubled since this time last year: $110 million and counting, including a $14 million donation from George Weiss, $25 million from alumnus Jeff Perelman and $5 million from the Annenberg Foundation for the Nursing Education Building.
And just yesterday, administrators announced that the Annenberg Foundation is kicking in another $10 million to the Annenberg School projects such as examing foreign freedom of information laws.
It seems like a perfect fit for University President Amy Gutmann's push for Penn to engage globally -- a vital component of her Penn Compact, an outline of goals for Penn's future.
And, apparently, the donors are doing more then just listening; they're responding with checks in hand.
The donations have also been directed toward uses across the University, from financial aid to nursing and communications; many different schools and departments are benefitting from the fundraising.
The donations -- especially the marked increase this year -- are even more relevant since Penn is still in its "quiet phase" of fundraising. Soon, Gutmann will begin pushing donors to help Penn fund its vital expansion eastward.
Especially if Gutmann can expand the base of donors outside of those who have given previously, it seems the University is well on its way to kicking off a very successful fundraising drive.
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