Portland State Magazine Fall 2014

FALL 2014 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 17 A strong Foundation PSU’s new fundraising structure creates financial sustainability. AFTER TRIPLING gifts to the University in four years, Portland State is building on its momentum and changing its private foundation structure to raise even more support. “We have an opportunity for deeper outreach and relation- ships,” says Mark Rosenbaum, chair of the PSU Foundation Board. “Our new structure is an excellent model to enhance overall fundraising. For the future of the University, it will mean more resources for students, faculty and the campus as a whole.” In July, the University transferred development responsi- bilities to its Foundation, streamlining operations and setting the stage for growth. Similar changes are occurring across the country, says David Bass, director of foundation programs and research at the Association of Governing Boards of Uni- versities and Colleges. In a survey his organization conducted last December, 27 percent of universities had transferred some development functions to their foundations in the last five years. “For some, it is strategic,” says Bass. “A young foundation may basically be a bank. Taking a more active role in fundrais- ing is a maturation process. You can recruit the highest-caliber board members because they will have substantive responsibili- ties and can accomplish something.” Engaged business and community leaders make up PSU’s current 28-member Foundation Board, including 15 alumni: Al Barkouli ’83, MS ’87; Keren Brown Wilson PhD ’83; Mary Dick MPA ’80; Elizabeth Fuller ’08; Ray Guenther ’83; Rupa Jack ’82; Erik Lawrence ’02; Jack Loacker ’67, MBA ’77; Jon Mitchell ’69; Tammy Neitzke ’97; Azam Qayum ’92; Alex Sokol Blosser ’97, MBA ’03; Barre Stoll ’89, MSW ’92; Peter Stott HD ’11; and Don Vollum ’94. Françoise Aylmer is the PSU Foundation president and chief executive officer. Since September 2010, she has served as vice president for University Advancement at PSU. She and her staff have more than tripled private gifts to the University, from $12.8 million in fiscal 2010 to $39.3 million in fiscal 2014. Top fundraising priorities currently include student scholarships and building projects for the School of Business Administration and the Viking Pavilion and Academic Center building. “Over the past four years, PSU has seen a steep increase in alumni giving, in six- and seven-figure gifts and in the number of volunteers invested in helping to secure private funding,” says Aylmer. “Looking to the future, a strong Foundation supporting the university, its students and faculty will result in increased access and success for students and will provide long-term financial stability for the institution.” Alumni giving has more than quadrupled in four years. Alumni are PSU’s largest group of donors, representing 48 percent of the 10,800 total donors and giving 36 percent ($13.9 million) of the $39.3 million raised in fiscal 2014, up from $2.9 million in fiscal year 2010. “We are creating broad support for Portland State through vibrant fundraising and community engagement,” says Rosenbaum. 