ESU Foundation assets exceed $50 million

The market value of the Emporia State University Foundation, Inc.'s total assets has reached an all-time high of $50,488,407 at the close of fiscal year 2004.

"The staff of the ESU Foundation and the Board of Trustees are to be congratulated for their efforts in achieving this milestone in the history of the Foundation," said Fred Saffer, board chairman. "As a direct result of their efforts, more young women and men will have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals."

Boyce Baumgardner, executive director of university advancement, credits solid fundraising efforts and cautious investment strategies for the accomplishment.

"Our board has taken a long-term, conservative approach toward managing our assets, and as a result, we've flourished these past few years," Baumgardner said.

During fiscal year 2004, the ESU Foundation successfully raised $3.6 million, $2 million of which was added to the endowment. Of that $3.6 million, $1.8 million was raised specifically for scholarships.

The number of donors who gave to the Foundation reached a five-year high at 6,543. Of those, 1,298 gave to the Foundation for the very first time.

"Alumni, friends, foundations and companies from all fifty states generously supported ESU this year," Baumgardner said. "Thanks to their support, we were able to award $1,542,470 in scholarships to nearly one-third of ESU's students."

Tremendous generosity was expressed on ESU's campus, as well. Seventy-three percent of ESU faculty and staff members contributed to the Campus/Community Scholarship Challenge, which raises funds for the Presidential Academic Awards scholarship program.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>