INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION

 

Established in 1948 as one of the first Wisconsin state college foundations, the UW-River Falls Foundation is incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, dedicated to securing private resources and support for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls by building relationships through the UWRF Alumni Association (which includes 39,900 “mailable” alumni, 83% of which live in Wisconsin or Minnesota), conducting fund-raising programs, and increasing the value of existing gifts through long-term investment. In 1948 gift totals at the end of the year were $7,999. In fiscal year 2004-05, over $1.3 million was raised from 9,198 gifts. The Foundation manages an endowment and net assets of $11.3 million while administering hundreds of gift accounts and services to UWRF alumni, and donors.

As the central fund-raising agency for the University, the UW-River Falls Foundation supports the University’s mission through a volunteer Board of Directors dedicated to ensuring gifts are well-managed, productively invested, and used as donors have directed.  The Office of University Advancement handles the daily work supporting philanthropic efforts. The Board of Directors serves without compensation, meets four times a year, attends committee meetings, and sets policies for successfully raising, managing, and prudently investing gifts that help realize the mission of the University. The Chancellor, an ex-officio member of the Board, establishes the formal channel of communication between the University and Foundation. The Executive Director for University Advancement serves as the President of the Foundation.