Gifts to Duke Top Record $400 Million

Duke University raised $407,952,525 between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000, a $77 million, 23 percent increase over last years record.

Duke's total came from 88,423 donors, more than half of whom, 46,513, were alumni. The nearly $408 million is more than twice Dukes total of five years ago, the year in which the university began its current fund-raising effort, the Campaign for Duke, which stands at more than $1.2 billion.

"This extraordinary level of giving represents both great generosity and hard work," said Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane. "Even more important than those formidable numbers, however, are what our donors and their gifts make possible -- more opportunities and resources for Duke undergraduates, graduate and professional students, faculty members, employees and patients. Our community is grateful to all who contribute."

In 1998-99, Duke raised $330.9 million, placing it third behind Harvard and Cornell universities among higher education institutions in the United States, according to the Council for Aid to Education. Harvard University last year became the first university to reach $400 million in gifts and grants.

Peter Nicholas, chairman of the board of Boston Scientific Corp. and co-chair of the Campaign for Duke, said, "Duke donors, volunteers and staff deserve credit for this achievement. They have been key factors in the universitys great progress."

With contributions totaling more than $34 million, the largest single donor to Duke was The Duke Endowment of Charlotte, a charitable foundation created by James B. Duke, who was also the universitys founder.

Direct giving by individuals increased more than 46 percent over the previous year. Many of those individuals supported Dukes Annual Fund, which is the total of tens of thousands of unrestricted gifts, enabling it to eclipse its $15.9 million goal with more than $16.7 million.

Campaign for Duke co-chair Ginny Nicholas, a former Annual Fund volunteer, praised "all of those who continue to support this annual Duke effort, year in and year out, and by doing so help the university meet many different -- and vital -- needs."