By JULIE LEA
K-State News and Editorial Services

MANHATTAN — Alumni, friends, parents, faculty, students and corporate partners of Kansas State University made philanthropic gifts and commitments totaling $211 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014.

This figure sets a record in charitable giving in the 70-year history of the Kansas State University Foundation, surpassing the $200 million mark for the first time. The previous record of $152 million was set last year.

“The generosity of K-State’s alumni and friends is phenomenal,” said retired Gen. Richard Myers, Arlington, Virginia, chairman of the KSU Foundation board of directors. “This achievement is a clear statement of support for the leadership of Kansas State University and its strategic direction. K-State is thriving and the future is very bright.”

“The level of philanthropy we have seen this year will have a huge positive impact on Kansas State University as it strives to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025,” said Fred Cholick, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “As the fundraising arm of the university, the KSU Foundation staff is privileged to work with alumni, friends and corporations who want to make a difference through philanthropy Their loyalty and dedication is inspirational.”

One of the most important aspects of this year’s results was the $89 million in endowed funds, which is also a record. Endowed funds established this year were primarily for student scholarships, faculty chairs and professorships. Endowed funds provide long-term funding for the purpose they support, and create a legacy for the donor.

“Endowed funds are making a difference today and will continue to advance the university far into the future,” said Kirk Schulz, Kansas State University president. “Because the size of the endowment is directly correlated to the university’s capacity to serve future generations of K-Staters, the endowment is a benchmark toward the goal to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”

Of the $211 million total, 63 percent is available for the university’s use immediately, while donors committed 37 percent through pledges and deferred gifts, which will be realized by the university at some point in the future.

“It is an honor to thank the alumni, friends, corporate partners, faculty, staff and students who expressed their support of K-State so generously,” Schulz said.

“Less than 20 percent of the university’s operating budget now comes from the state,” he said. “The remainder of the budget comes from three sources: tuition, grants and contracts, and private philanthropic support given through the KSU Foundation. Charitable gifts have a great impact on students, faculty and facilities at K-State, both immediately and in the future. There is no question that this level of support from the K-State family will advance the university in our quest to be recognized among the nation’s top 50 public research universities.”

Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the KSU Foundation. The foundation staff works with university partners to build lifelong relationships with alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students through involvement and investment in the university.

Giving totals for Kansas counties (county, number of donors, total gifts to K-State):

Allen 119 $83,235
Anderson 52 $19,934
Atchison 101 $67,306
Barber 57 $83,975
Barton 339 $820,146
Bourbon 45 $10,567
Brown 176 $1,494,057
Butler 460 $494,691
Chase 46 $6,807
Chautauqua 15 $2,330
Cherokee 28 $19,005
Cheyenne 34 $7,990
Clark 41 $309,656
Clay 271 $207,181
Cloud 159 $174,683
Coffey 104 $117,864
Comanche 18 $3,762
Cowley 194 $133,920
Crawford 105 $32,232
Decatur 46 $36,922
Dickinson 412 $173,870
Doniphan 80 $56,112
Douglas 575 $413,414
Edwards 60 $31,220
Elk 15 $3,785
Ellis 230 $262,698
Ellsworth 102 $1,729,995
Finney 370 $912,464
Ford 218 $424,659
Franklin 157 $44,338
Geary 385 $342,324
Gove 41 $32,267
Graham 17 $20,136
Grant 42 $6,580
Gray 95 $108,375
Greeley 15 $8,577
Greenwood 75 $34,973
Hamilton 18 $31,245
Harper 83 $515,260
Harvey 356 $341,029
Haskell 49 $28,785
Hodgeman 30 $11,246
Jackson 187 $141,861
Jefferson 132 $811,259
Jewell 57 $26,152
Johnson 6,036 $12,487,511
Kearny 25 $880,839
Kingman 87 $118,360
Kiowa 31 $26,815
Labette 69 $82,191
Lane 31 $26,150
Leavenworth 327 $223,941
Lincoln 66 $14,920
Linn 39 $5,718
Logan 45 $67,787
Lyon 195 $322,605
Marion 135 $280,761
Marshall 296 $180,587
McPherson 446 $220,794
Meade 39 $8,165
Miami 207 $178,064
Mitchell 194 $165,822
Montgomery 153 $51,892
Morris 144 $95,760
Morton 13 $925
Nemaha 242 $731,636
Neosho 101 $188,357
Ness 72 $143,477
Norton 59 $23,240
Osage 165 $71,386
Osborne 78 $26,717
Ottawa 122 $46,746
Pawnee 114 $94,750
Phillips 192 $770,762
Pottawatomie 951 $713,780
Pratt 143 $1,343,054
Rawlins 45 $7,134
Reno 575 $1,154,938
Republic 134 $189,568
Rice 112 $252,990
Riley 7,969 $29,678,477
Rooks 56 $34,553
Rush 34 $5,623
Russell 91 $64,749
Saline 1,124 $40,966,499
Scott 149 $385,144
Sedgwick 2,918 $4,012,127
Seward 72 $51,031
Shawnee 2,182 $3,883,027
Sheridan 37 $247,957
Sherman 56 $17,501
Smith 53 $12,572
Stafford 72 $65,767
Stanton 23 $31,973
Stevens 33 $6,630
Sumner 142 $79,736
Thomas 111 $462,557
Trego 38 $8,756
Wabaunsee 187 $53,745
Wallace 25 $2,745
Washington 146 $94,677
Wichita 41 $19,825
Wilson 59 $23,053
Woodson 33 $6,642
Wyandotte 318 $566,221