ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University reported a successful year of giving during the 2023-24 fiscal year and saw increased participation by donors, according to the Division of University Advancement.
Vice President Kevin Hughes said 2,971 donors gave $4,596,362 to the institution.
“Winthrop is on the rise, and our alumni, friends of the university and corporate sponsors have generously responded after seeing the positive changes happening here,” Hughes said. “We look forward to sharing how the Winthrop Experience can be life changing for our students as we prepare them for successful careers.”
The Winthrop Fund saw a 15 percent increase in dollars raised during the 2024 fiscal year when compared to the 2023 fiscal year, which amounted to $406,677 in 2023 compared to $466,230 in 2024. The Winthrop Fund offers immediate support to students and the university. There are no restrictions on these gifts, allowing the university to address areas of greatest need. Tim Gibson, annual giving manager, said Winthrop increased its donor retention from 51 percent to 56 percent in 2024, which is the highest since 2017.
The number of members in the President’s Circle, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more, also increased by 5 percent from 2023. Gibson said the 384 donors in 2024 is the highest number of members since 2019 and is the second most in the last decade.
Giving Day Brings in More Donors
Giving Day, which was held April 16-17, prompted 1,003 donors to contribute $301,928 to Winthrop. The Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Performance was one of the biggest benefactors as it attracted 245 donors who gave more than $25,000. Some 34 donors rallied others to give as they provided $147,500 in matching or challenge gift funds.
Winthrop students even responded with 106 donating as they showed they want to be a part of a culture of giving. Meanwhile, the College of Visual and Performing Arts pulled in $39,770 for arts-related funds. In all, 1,286 gifts were received, according to Gibson.
New Donations Help Students, Faculty and Facilities
Many alumni direct their charitable giving to programs where they have an interest and see value. Barbara C. Hannah ’91, who earned a master’s degree in human nutrition, and her husband, Frank T. Hannah, established two sizeable funds in April, according to Debbie Garrick, senior development officer.
They are:
*The Barbara C. Hannah Endowment for Faculty Enrichment in Human Nutrition which will provide funds to the human nutrition department. It will offer support for faculty research, professional development, travel, course replacement stipends and additional faculty support as determined by the dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in collaboration with the department chair.
*The Barbara C. Hannah Restricted Fund for Human Nutrition which will provide funds to buy equipment and supplies for lab spaces within the human nutrition department, or as a second option, the money will be used to support professional development for students within the department.
The Hannahs further established an additional restricted fund in conjunction with their faculty enrichment endowment in order to provide an immediate faculty award while the endowment fund is building in the investment pool. Jessie Hoffman, who is a registered dietitian, assistant professor and researcher in the field of human nutrition, will benefit from the Hannah fund. Her dietetic and research expertise is in gastrointestinal conditions and the gut microbiome.
Another alumnus, who wished to remain anonymous, made a sizable gift to the Women’s Basketball Excellence Fund. The donor’s passion for basketball and women’s sports, and her respect and admiration for Head Coach Semeka Randall Lay, led to a gift that will update and transform the women’s basketball locker rooms, coaches’ offices and more at the Winthrop Coliseum. “This very generous donor wanted to do something special for Winthrop, and, together, we tied a love of basketball with a transformative gift that will assist the team with recruiting for years to come,” said Josh Bouldin, development officer.
For more information on how to give to Winthrop, please call 803/323-2275 or visit www.winthrop.edu/advancement.
