What a year and what a powerful endorsement of Wittenberg鈥檚 mission and purpose.
Because of you, our 2019-20 fiscal year set records for what it means to pass on one鈥檚 light through philanthropy. Thank you! All of us at Wittenberg are deeply grateful to you 鈥� our alumni and friends 鈥� for your generosity and uncompromising support. Your gifts are changing lives, and I hope this first-ever online annual report conveys our gratitude as it reveals our shared commitment to securing Wittenberg鈥檚 future.
Prior to joining the University community in July 2019, I was made aware of the incredible passion alumni have for their alma mater. I witnessed that passion in conversations with alumni on the search committee and in every conversation since. Wittenberg holds a special place in so many hearts, and this year that was made abundantly clear as we raised a record-setting $7,502,297.15 鈥�$1.6 million more than last fiscal year. Because of you, 451 scholarships were awarded to deserving students from charitable donations, and our alumni participation rate increased by an incredible 5.5 percentage points, from 13% to 18.5% in just one year.
Having dedicated my career to higher education philanthropy, most institutions celebrate when alumni participation increases by a few tenths of a percentage point, so seeing Wittenberg鈥檚 percentage jump as it did clearly demonstrates to our University community and those watching around the world that this institution matters and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Add to this success raising an incredible $457,716 in a single day on March 11th during our annual Commit to Witt, and the passion for Wittenberg now becomes unprecedented.
What makes this philanthropic success all the more inspiring, however, is that it occurred during a global pandemic and at a challenging time in Wittenberg鈥檚 own story. President Frandsen shared extremely difficult news in February regarding our financial footing. A month later, COVID-19 took hold of our nation, forcing all of us to re-imagine how we live, learn, work, and engage with others, and shifting our focus to ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We find ourselves in uncharted waters, but even in this trying time, you stepped up. Because of you, our COVID-19 Crisis Fund generated $119,395 to help our students in need, 13 new alumni chapters started, and 633 new donors joined in our forward movement this year.
Like all institutions of higher learning right now, Wittenberg has more challenges ahead that will likely require the University to make more difficult decisions. None of this is easy, but based on the overwhelming show of support from alumni and friends this past year, we know that we are not alone. Your passion and commitment to affect change at Wittenberg is tangible.
Thank you. Because of you, our light will continue to shine for generations as we challenge students to become responsible global citizens, to discover their callings, and to lead personal, professional, and civic lives of creativity, service, compassion, and integrity.
With Tiger pride,
Rebecca Kocher
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement