Contact: Amy Cagle

STARKVILLE, Miss.—For a fourth consecutive year, Mississippi State University has topped the $100 million mark in private gifts. More than $108.6 million was contributed during the just-ended fiscal year 2017, marking the second highest fundraising year on record for the 139-year-old land-grant institution.    

“Private gifts have become crucial to maintaining excellence and achieving growth, and we gratefully acknowledge the impact of this generous outpouring of support,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “This strong giving year creates further momentum for our Infinite Impact capital campaign and demonstrates the confidence our MSU family has in our accomplishments and plans for the future.”

Fiscal year 17 represents a 5 percent increase from FY 16’s total of $103.2 million and tallies just $1 million shy of the $109.6 million recorded in FY 15 as the largest year on record for the university.  

Of the total funds raised in FY 17, new gifts accounted for just under $50 million, and new pledges totaled over $34.4 million. Deferred gifts made up the remaining more than $24.2 million. In all, some 23,625 alumni, friends, corporations and foundations contributed during the year.  

“Mississippi State fundraising is following a very positive trend with four successive years over $100 million. These impressive numbers bode well for our Infinite Impact campaign as we steer the endeavor into its next phase of fundraising,” said John P. Rush, the university’s vice president of development and alumni, who serves as president and CEO of the MSU Foundation.

Another record fiscal year places Infinite Impact on the fast track with nearly $753 million raised toward its $1 billion goal by 2020. The largest fundraising effort in the state’s history, the campaign seeks gifts for the creation of scholarships for capable students and chairs and professorships for the best faculty, along with support for state-of-the-art facilities and innovative programs.

“Mississippi State’s transformational campaign can reach fruition with help from alumni and friends who are willing to explore annual and deferred giving opportunities with us and proactively share the MSU vision and the accomplishments of talented students and top-notch faculty with prospective contributors,” Rush said.    

Rush continued, “We also experienced positive numbers with our alumni giving percentage nearing 18 again for the eighth consecutive year, which shows a high level of satisfaction from graduates of the university.”

More on MSU fundraising is available at www.msufoundation.com and specifics on the Infinite Impact campaign are available at www.infiniteimpactmsu.com.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.