Tag Archive for: University Advancement

Philanthropy accounts for second-highest total ever in 2025

Fiscal year 2025 among best for SOU philanthropy

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University continued its historic fundraising run in fiscal year 2025, raising $14.17 million.

The philanthropic total for FY25 is the second-highest annual total ever raised for the university; in fiscal year 2023, the university raised more than $19 million, including $10 million from Lithia Motors and Green Cars.

“We’re generating momentum for the future of the university, and we are seeing that play out each year,” said Janet Fratella, SOU’s Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the SOU Foundation.

Strong engagement with SOU alumni and solid campus partnerships were two of the keys to success for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The year’s gifts increased support for SOU’s academic core, including projects for faculty, student affairs and athletics. More than $4 million is earmarked specifically for scholarships.

Projects that will be funded by recent commitments include a new kitchen at The Farm at SOU, scholarships and new mentors for students in the University Coaching & Academic Mentoring (UCAM) program, a new fleet of mountain bikes for the Outdoor Adventure Leadership program, a new international exchange program with a university in the African country of Ghana, a new piano lab and vocal isolation sound booth, marimba music performances, support for students in STEM summer research programs, and new faculty fellowships in SOU’s Education, Music and STEM programs.

SOU received gifts from more than 4,000 donors during FY25 – the first time that milestone has been reached.

“Our long-term goal is to ensure that all our donors have an exceptional experience and that they continue their support,” Fratella said. “Our SOU donors are pivotal to the success of the university, as philanthropy creates a level of excellence that state dollars alone cannot provide.”

Fratella also said that many donors are supportive of the university’s current efforts to “right-size” and rebuild the institution to be financially stronger and more capable of withstanding periodic budget issues.

“Our donors are standing by us,” she said. “Our goal is to reshape SOU to be a more resilient university.”

Fratella also noted that the SOU Foundation Board of Trustees – the separate, university-affiliated foundation – have been in lock-step in helping SOU achieve its goals.

“I commend the foundation trustees, who are personally giving of their time, talent and treasure to ensure that the university is well positioned for the future,” she said.

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Philanthropic support soaring at SOU

Philanthropic giving increasing significantly at SOU

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Philanthropic support of SOU has soared over the past five years, the result of an intensive effort to transition the university toward a future of sustainable financial operations and improved student access.

New gifts and pledges grew nearly 125% over that period, according to Janet Fratella, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the SOU Foundation.

“In 2022, we received the two largest gifts in our history, and we are on pace to continue setting new records as we embark on the university’s inaugural comprehensive campaign,” Fratella said.

Philanthropy has become a pivotal piece of revenue for public universities across the country over the past 30 years.

“As funding from the state has declined, the need for private gifts has increased and this added revenue over the long-term helps offset a continuing need to increase tuition, year after year,” Fratella said.

Investments from the university and its foundation over the past several years have provided the needed infrastructure to increase giving in new and significant ways.

“Philanthropy  is one of the new financial bedrocks of SOU, along with the strategic realignment of our operations and programs, targeted grant applications and entrepreneurial opportunities to create new revenue streams,” President Rick Bailey said.

The university received a $3 million estate gift in early 2022 from legendary wrestling coach Bob Riehm, who passed away in November 2020. A third of the gift endowed the men’s wrestling head coach position and two-thirds will be used to fund scholarships for the team’s student-athletes.

Riehm coached the school’s wrestling program for 25 years beginning in 1969, winning three national championships and mentoring 100 NAIA All-Americans. He compiled a 270-71-2 career record and has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the SOU Sports Hall of Fame.

Bailey, Fratella and others announced in September what is easily the single largest gift in the university’s 150-year history – a whopping $12 million over 10 years from Lithia Motors, a Medford-based Fortune 200 company. The gift created the Lithia & GreenCars Momentum Fund, which will be used “to propel the university forward by investing in people and programs to implement the university’s and the company’s shared vision of sustainability and diversity.”

According to Bailey, the Lithia commitment will likely become a catalyst for other companies and individuals to participate in making a significant difference in both social and environmental change.

“A gift of this magnitude and scope has the potential to increase our national profile,” President Bailey said.

The Momentum Fund establishes a $5 million scholarship and leadership development program designed to recruit and retain first-generation and/or minoritized populations traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The first cohort of scholars will be named in 2023.

Another $4 million from the Momentum Fund will be used to establish the Institute for Applied Sustainability, which will be anchored by four distinguished faculty members and two administrators – all of whom bring sustainability expertise into their work, academic research or teaching. The institute will be led by Vince Smith, Ph.D., professor of environmental science and policy and director of the Division of Business, Communication and Environment. Members include Pavilina McGrady, Ph.D., associate professor of business; Bret Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor of economics; Christopher Lucas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Communication, Media and Cinema Program; Jessica Piekielek, Ph.D., professor of anthropology; and Rebecca Walker, the university’s sustainability director.

The institute’s mission will be to identify and implement initiatives that move the university toward sustainability in campus operations and leadership. Its members will collaborate with executives from Lithia to develop projects and programs, such as the creation of a national sustainability conference, an academic credential in corporate sustainability and a national sustainability demonstration site.

The Momentum Fund also provides $1 million to support the university president’s efforts to develop  new ways of solving complex problems, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to the Momentum Fund, Lithia & GreenCars have pledged to “electrify” SOU by providing electric vehicles to the university and installing charging stations across campus.

Finally, the company will continue to support the Lithia & GreenCars/Raider Golf Tournament, building upon many years of SOU athletic programs success. Proceeds from the annual tournament – which has raised more than $600,000 in each of the past two years – are used to provide scholarships to student-athletes.

“As we continue to engage more and more of our alumni and donors in the life of the university and demonstrate the impact of giving, we will see continued support and success,” Fratella said.