The King's Connection Magazine Volume 23 Number 3//Spring 2013

King’s foundation Thank you $ $2.6 1,200 = million Almost donors in the fiscal year ending March 31 King’s Supporters Give Record Amount in Annual Campaign by Dan VanKeeken, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement I n the best annual fundraising campaign toward its operating budget in its 34-year history, The King’s University College has raised over $2.6 million in the fiscal year ending March 31. This represents 16 per cent of King’s annual budget, and is a strong indication of the growing support the institution is receiving from donors, foundations, corporations and churches across Canada. It is also more than half-a-million dollars over what was raised in the previous fiscal year, and almost a million more than two years ago. “We are thankful to our almost 1,200 donors this past year who keep the vision for King’s close to their hearts,” says President Harry Fernhout. “Tuition would be almost $1,600 more per student if it wasn’t for this support. The news is full of many universities in crisis as they reduce staffing, faculty and programs in an attempt to deal with reduced funding. King’s has also done some belt tightening this year, but thanks to our supporting community helping us reach the largest fundraising goal for our operating budget in our history, we have a promising future.” 34 /// The King’s Connection /// Spring 2013 Director of Development Mike Ferber is also grateful for the support King’s is receiving: “It’s truly amazing what our donors give. They believe in the students. They believe in the faculty and staff. They believe in King’s. And by far, most of our donors aren’t millionaires—the vast majority are ordinary people who together do extraordinary things. We deeply appreciate this ongoing engagement from the many communities that believe in what King’s is all about—transforming the lives of learners, preparing them for lives of service, no matter what they do after they leave King’s.” King’s is also starting to receive significant pledges toward several major renovation projects, details of which will be announced in the weeks to come. These latest milestones in support for King’s come in the same year the university received top marks in Canada for post-secondary institutions of any kind or size for creating a positive, encouraging and nurturing atmosphere in which students are thriving, according to recent student surveys reported in MacLean’s magazine. ? Another Year of Great Support from the King’s Foundation by Rick Struik, Executive Director Vision: The King’s University College Foundation is an intentional, inspirational, independent funding arm of The King’s University College to help support tomorrow’s Christian leaders in all spheres of life. In its effort to ensure the future of high-quality Christian university education, The King’s Foundation contributes 90 per cent of Foundation donations directly to projects at King’s. The remaining 10 per cent supports administrative costs including the Executive Director honorarium, part-time administration assistant and other office costs. In the 2012/2013 year, the Foundation is pleased with the following high points. The Foundation’s membership is nearly double what it was four years ago and now stands at 80 members strong. Much of this growth has occurred in the past year because of Dr. Henk Van Andel, former president of King’s and a Foundation member, who agreed to work for eight months to search for new members. In 2012, Dr. Van Andel was successful in finding about 25 new members. The Foundation is thankful for his significant contribution and dedicated service. With his term complete, the Foundation is currently determining if his success can be continued by someone else. Members have begun discussing various projects for year 2014/2015. As the support for the Secondary Education Program comes to an end and members see the benefit of their contribution, there is a renewed enthusiasm to support new projects at The King’s University College. The Foundation continues to be dedicated to bolstering The King’s University College’s mission to provide education that inspires and equips learners to bring renewal and reconciliation as followers of Jesus Christ, the Servant King. Mission: Through its loyal, enthusiastic members who seek to make a positive and lasting impact, The King’s University College Foundation funds projects that support the mission of King’s. ? The past year, the Foundation was able to support the university college in the amount of $205,000, including the most recent instalment in a six-year commitment to the Secondary Education Program and supporting a new alumni relations manager position. The members of the Foundation, in consultation with King’s, have approved support for the following projects for 2013/2014: • Payment of the final instalment in support of the Secondary Education Program; • Installation of a new gym floor that is required for King’s to continue participating in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC); • Support of a feasibility study for a Continuous Learning Education Program at King’s; • Construction of a Foundation recognition display wall at the entrance of campus. In addition to the approved projects, the Foundation has been asked to support a few other projects and is awaiting approval by the membership. The projected support for 2013/2014 is $202,000. The King’s Connection /// Spring 2013 /// 35

The King's Connection Magazine Volume 23 Number 3//Spring 2013 | Page 36