The West Virginia University Foundation is celebrating 70 years of private philanthropy to benefit the University and its land-grant mission.
The WVU Foundation was officially incorporated on Dec. 3, 1954, as an independent nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. Since then, the Foundation has steadily grown as an organization to boost support for high-quality education, meaningful research, world-class patient care and outreach programs that aid the Mountain State and beyond.
WVU alumni and friends contributed a historic $282.6 million in gifts and pledges during fiscal year 2024, a $12.5 million increase over the previous fundraising record set in 2021. That figure includes a record $30.4 million raised during the seventh WVU Day of Giving.
“The historic philanthropy we have experienced reinforces the vital work underway every day at West Virginia University – the state’s flagship, R1, land-grant university,” President Gordon Gee said. “It provides access and enhances the educational experience for our students and supports our dedicated faculty and staff. Together, we are building a brighter future and making a lasting impact to strengthen communities in West Virginia and beyond. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
The origins of the WVU Foundation can be traced to the vision of Irvin Stewart, the University’s 13th president. Stewart was instrumental in stepping up efforts to enlist educational support from donors and often spoke of the need for private gifts to provide for the future of WVU.
Stewart anticipated a decline in state funding for higher education and envisioned an organization that would actively seek support for WVU programs, services, equipment and facilities. Current state appropriations account for only about 15% of the University’s total budget.
Throughout its history, the Foundation has achieved increasingly ambitious fundraising milestones through impactful comprehensive campaigns. The most recent effort, “A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University,” saw more than 90,000 donors contribute just over $1.2 billion to the University through the end of 2017.
Donor gifts enabled the Foundation to disburse about $475 million in direct support to WVU and its affiliates over the past five years.
“Our mission is crystal clear: to enrich the lives of those touched by WVU by maximizing charitable support,” Cindi Roth, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation, said. “We accomplish that by partnering with leaders across WVU units and campuses to identify the University’s greatest needs and working collaboratively with our generous donors to find fitting opportunities to make a difference. We take pride in being fierce stewards of their contributions, from investing through administering each one, to make the greatest impact possible. Every dollar we raise ultimately benefits the University’s efforts to advance education, health care and prosperity in West Virginia. We are well-poised for the next 70 years thanks to the generosity of our loyal donors.”
In its inaugural year, the Foundation established its first two student scholarships and grew assets to just under $30,000. That figure grew to $673.5 million by 2004, when the Foundation marked its 50th anniversary. Total assets have more than quadrupled over the past 20 years, rising to over $3 billion today.
The Foundation is governed by a 29-member Board of Directors that includes accomplished alumni and supporters with diverse expertise in business, finance, law, health care, communications and more. Under their leadership, the Foundation manages nearly 6,000 funds, including more than 2,300 scholarship funds.
“Our Board is composed of passionate leaders, driven to appreciate and deliver on the potential to make life-changing impacts at WVU for its students and the state of West Virginia,” Bill Sheedy, chair of the WVU Foundation Board, said. “We are fortunate to be led by our Foundation’s skilled management, who cultivate philanthropy across our institutions to create opportunities for future generations of Mountaineers to thrive and excel.”
To learn more about the Foundation and opportunities to support WVU, visit wvuf.org. Gifts can be made online at give.wvu.edu.