By Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. 1990, President

Fundraising is probably the single most talked about topic among university presidents. The reason is simple. The costs of higher education continue to increase, as does the competition
for students. Many institutions that are tuition dependent — as CUA is — need other major sources of revenue to sustain their operations. Donor contributions are one such source.

?The more a university is able to grow its endowment and increase its Annual Fund returns, the more the school can provide for its students and faculty. Increased giving brings other benefits as well, since the major college guides take alumni giving rates into account when calculating their annual rankings of universities.

Gone are the days when university presidents were able to think “great thoughts” and spend their time contributing to the intellectual vibrancy of our society. While some may lament that passing, others know that the time the president spends raising funds from generous donors enables the life of the mind to flourish in and through others within the university community.

Although the experts say there is plenty of money “out there,” fundraising is not easy. Specialists in fundraising indicate that the culture of philanthropy has changed significantly in recent years, with donors taking a much more active interest in how their contributions are spent.

With respect to CUA, there is a perception among potential donors that the university is financially supported by the Church. While it is true that CUA receives proceeds from a national collection, they total less than $6 million annually, all of which goes into our $30 million student financial aid budget. Obviously, for scholarship assistance and so many other important initiatives, we simply need to find more money. Without significant fundraising success, CUA will lose its momentum and its ability to compete successfully with the very best institutions. Without significant fundraising success, our excellent reputation as one of the top universities will begin to fade. And without significant fundraising success, our aging infrastructure and campus facilities will begin to deteriorate. We need such success.

Where will we find these funds? We turn to those who have the most obvious reason to invest in CUA: our alumni/ae. Contributing with pride each year to the Annual Fund and to other capital fund drives makes all the difference in the world to the university. Our average alumni giving rate stands at roughly 13 percent compared to Notre Dame’s 49 percent, Georgetown’s 33 percent, Providence College’s 27 percent, Boston College’s 25 percent and Villanova’s
23 percent.

In the eight years that I have been president of CUA, I have awakened each day with a great sense of our “potential.” The only thing that keeps us from leaping forward as a university is the need for an infusion of new funds.

To those who have been faithful contributors to the university’s Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives, I express my sincere thanks and hope that you will continue to be as generous as your means allow. To those who have not given anything, I challenge you to demonstrate the value you attach to your CUA degree by making a contribution this year, and every year. The time is long past due for us to double the rate of alumni giving, putting us in the same league as Boston College, Villanova and Providence College. You, our alumni, need to do this not just as a tangible demonstration of pride in CUA. Your help is crucial if your alma mater is to realize its true potential.

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Revised: November 2005

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The Catholic University of America,
Office of Public Affairs.