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CSU-Pueblo Foundation Nearing its $25 Million Goal

Release Date: July 13, 2016

Cora Zaletel

Executive Director, External Affairs

Colorado State University-Pueblo

719.549.2810

Press Release

PUEBLO - The CSU-Pueblo Foundation continues to move toward its $25 million On the Move campaign goal. To date, the campaign has raised $19 million toward the ambitious goal.

The CSU-Pueblo Foundation On the Move campaign announced in August of 2013 a three-year $25 million campaign to benefit student scholarships and programs, assist with funding for the Occhiato University Center, provide support to athletic scholarships, and construct the Art and Lorraine Gonzales Stadium.

Todd Kelly, president/CEO of the CSU-Pueblo Foundation, said, "we are very happy with the outpouring of support that we have received during the On the Move campaign. In just three years and through numerous collaborative efforts and fundraising endeavors, the CSU-Pueblo Foundation is close to achieving our $25 million goal. This campaign not only has raised funds for CSU-Pueblo and its students, but it has further strengthened our University, alumni base, and our extended community."

While the On the Move campaign is not yet complete, many accomplishments are worthy of note.

Record number of scholarships awarded

Every year since the launch of the On the Move campaign, the CSU-Pueblo Foundation has increased the funding awarded to CSU-Pueblo student scholarships. In 2013, the Foundation awarded $1.18 million in scholarships. In 2014, the Foundation increased scholarship awards to $1.53 million, and then again in 2015 to $1.68 million. The CSU-Pueblo Foundation has continued this trend for fiscal year 2016, awarding a record-breaking $2.5 million to deserving CSU-Pueblo students in scholarships alone.

Increased alumni and stakeholder partnerships

The On the Move campaign has had many successes; a prime accomplishment is the level of support that the CSU-Pueblo Foundation has received from donors. In total, the On the Move campaign has received 12,965 individual gifts from 3,447 individuals, business, or foundations. While this campaign has seen many new donors to the University, the Foundation boasts an 84 percent donor retention rate of individuals who have given five consecutive years or more.

"We are grateful and amazed by the support that we have received throughout the campaign," Kelly said. "The willingness of people to give has been very humbling. People give to the University because of their belief in CSU-Pueblo, higher education, and our students. Our donation numbers prove that people care about helping other people achieve their educational goals."

Re-defining CSU-Pueblo fundraising

Since the start of the On the Move campaign, the CSU-Pueblo Foundation has updated the way the University receives donations. As the times have changed, the ways to fundraise have increased and accessibility for donors to access their favorite charity has grown as well. During the three-year campaign, The CSU-Pueblo Foundation has made many pivotal changes and updates to its website, online giving, and social media presence. In addition to these routine changes, the Foundation has harnessed cellphone technology within its fundraising events and online donation appeals. This technology allows the donor to give a gift through their cellphone, eliminating the need to put pen to paper.

The Foundation also has increased its outreach to its alumni and community partners. A concentrated annual giving effort has taken place in the last year, guaranteeing multiple forms of communication to alumni and many avenues to donate back to the University. In addition to direct mail, email, and social media marketing, the CSU-Pueblo Foundation plans to add crowd funding to its fundraising repertoire. Arguably, the most popular crowd funding website is GoFundMe.com; CSU-Pueblo Foundation hopes to utilize this technology to allow smaller student-based initiatives the ability to fundraise and meet their organizational and operating goals.

Board initiative and final campaign push

The CSU-Pueblo Foundation Board of Trustees is committed to reaching the $25 million goal by August 31, 2016. The CSU-Pueblo Foundation staff and trustees have created a plan to obtain the remaining funds. Through a grassroots campaign, the trustees will be directly soliciting individuals to give to the On the Move campaign. A Text Ten fundraising effort also will take place during the final weeks of the campaign, encouraging the Pueblo community and alumni across the country to text PACK to 80888 and donate $10 per text.

"Everyone at CSU-Pueblo is transfixed on the $25 million goal and reaching that ambitious figure by the end of August," said Kelly. "This campaign has built tremendous support and momentum, and I am confident that with the support of the community and our CSU-Pueblo alumni, we will reach our goal."

"Reaching our campaign goal not only will be a win for the University but a win for the Pueblo community. Education is key to a thriving community and society. Private support allows us to provide sustainable financial support to the University and its students; this funding allows the University to elevate its offerings to our students. The ways to impact student success are many, any gift, no matter the size will make a difference."

For more information on the CSU-Pueblo Foundation, the On the Move Campaign, or giving to the CSU-Pueblo Foundation, contact Cora Zaletel at 719.549.2576 or cora.zaletel@csupueblo.edu.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.

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