CSU tempers state cuts by topping $500 million fundraising goal.

• Author: Cote, Maria
• Position: EDUCATION

THE NEWS IS FULL OF DIRE REPORTS that state funding to Colorado's lop universities has plummeted. But those worried that the quality of education may slip should glance quickly over the gloom and doom stories, then look for the more cheerful headlines.

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For instance. Colorado State University recently made news when it exceeded its goal of raising S5U0 million over seven years. With state tax funds on the decline, the generosity of alums and other individuals is all-important, says Breit Anderson, who oversee fundraising efforts for the university.

But donations from eompanies like Hewlett-Packard, Saunders Construction and EKS&H were really pivotal in helping (he university meet its goal, Anderson says.

"Corporations are critical to our success;' says Anderson, vice president lor advancement at the university. 'YVeYe at So 15 million right now. and a little more than S178 million Of that is from corporations and businesses."

Overall, Anderson says. CSU has seen a 50 percent increase in private support this current year.

Like CSU. the University of Colorado has seen an outpouring of support for the school.

A S1.5 billion dollar campaign called "Creating Futures" was announced in April 2011.

To dale. CI' has raised 31.1 billion. The CL" Foundation, the fund-raising arm of ihe university, raises around 3100 million in gifts every vear.

"Around 30 pereeni of ihat comes from corporations," said Jeremy Simon, spokesman for ihe foundation. "Many of these companies are based here, and they have a strong business interest here."

They may also be supporting technologies that, enhance their industry, Simon acids.

The power of the faculty and staff of CU's four campuses makes a strong statement.

"We're really standing on the shoulders of giants." he says.

Many companies. Simon said. make gifts to specific schools at CU. For instance, Encana's donation was earmarked to help establish a Global Energy management program at the CU Denver business school. ConocoPhillips, which has long been a big donor, donated S3.5 million toward...