The All-University Fund Drive (AUFD) kicks off Thursday, October 23 with a goal of raising $230,000 in combined contributions to Oakland University, United Way and Black United Fund.
Gifts to OU support the university’s goal of raising $110 million by the year 2010 through “Innovation & Opportunity -- The Campaign for Oakland University.”
“We recently reached the $100 million mark in the campaign,” said Gary Russi, president. “We are close to attaining our goal a full year ahead of schedule, thanks in part to the unwavering support of the faculty and staff of OU.”
AUFD information packets, including pledge forms, are being sent to employees this week. Payroll deduction pledges are made by submitting a signed AUFD payroll deduction authorization form. Employees can also make credit card gifts online via the AUFD Web site. The campaign concludes Dec. 18.
Russi will again match gifts made to the university with 50 cents on the dollar, up to $5,000. To be eligible for the match, gifts must reach the Gift Accounting Department at John Dodge House by Thursday, Dec. 18. Naming opportunities to the university are ineligible for the presidential match.
This year’s co-chairs for the AUFD are Pat Nicosia, retired director of Budget and Financial Planning, Leigh Settlemoir Dzwik, assistant vice president, Academic Human Resources and Ron Tracy, associate dean and associate professor Economics, School of Business Administration. In addition, approximately 40 faculty and staff volunteers throughout campus are assisting with this year’s AUFD.
“The number of OU donors continues to increase because our faculty and staff see firsthand the benefits their gifts make on campus,” said Susan Davies Goepp, vice president, University Relations and executive director, OU Foundation. “Gifts to the AUFD provide critical funding for scholarships and programs that support our mission to offer students a distinctive education.”