MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune

 September 14, 2013

 Legislature provides excellent opportunity for Mayville State supporters

 

The 63rd North Dakota Legislative Assembly created an amazing new program to spur philanthropic giving to North Dakota State universities and enhance academic excellence. The new program and funding, called “The Matching Fund for Enhanced Academics,” will provide a 50% match for each and every dollar donated to the Mayville State University Foundation for approved projects between July 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014.

We are grateful to the North Dakota legislators for this fund that will approve up to $1,000,000 in matching fund potential for Mayville State University. MSU Director of Development John Klocke and I presented three projects to the grants committee on August 5, and all were approved for our immediate fundraising. The three parts of the fundraising will coincide with the 125th anniversary of Mayville State University, and together will be called the Mayville State University 125th Anniversary Foundation for Educational Excellence Campaign. The campaign will allow donors to contribute to one of three fund areas: 

  1. The 125th Anniversary Endowment for Excellence Fund. Individuals, businesses, and foundations can create a named endowment or contribute any amount from a dollar or more to an existing endowment through this program. Every dollar given, up to $1,333,333, will be given a 50% match, creating a potential for $2,000,000 in new endowment funding. This could allow for 60 or more new academic scholarships per year. Contributors can also make a pledge of up to seven years and have the entire pledge amount matched. Combine this program with the North Dakota Endowment Tax Credit, which allows donors to receive a 50% state tax credit on endowment gifts of $5,000 or more, and donors can leverage philanthropy tremendously. Endowments can be academic endowments to fund specific educational programs. (Non-athletic.)
  1. The 125th Anniversary Academic Excellence Scholarship Fund. Individuals businesses, and foundations can help this drive to create a higher number of annual academic scholarships to attract more students and fuel MSU’s continued new levels of high enrollment. Every dollar given, up to $133,500, will receive a 50% match, creating a potential of $200,000 to be awarded in 2014 or 2015, depending upon gift date. (Non-athletic.)
  1. The 125th Anniversary Rural Nursing Excellence RN to BSN Fund. Individuals, businesses, and foundations can help fund this newly approved RN to BSN degree program. Every dollar given, up to $444,000, will be given a 50% match, creating a potential for $500,000 to develop, plan, staff, and accept nursing students by 2015 or sooner. This fund will carry the program to a level of self-sustainment. When fully functional and at capacity, the program will graduate 24-48 new nurses with BSN degrees each year to help alleviate the rural nursing shortage, especially in Traill County and throughout North Dakota.

This new program has the potential to take Mayville State’s academic excellence to an entirely new level through the increased support this matching grant offers.

In order for a gift to qualify for the matching program, a special gift form is required so that a proper totaling of gifts can be done. Optionally, a donor can write the name of the campaign fund area as indicated above on the memo line of their gift, in lieu of the gift form. To qualify, gifts must be given after July 1 of 2013 through December 31, 2014. Gift pledges to the three funds of up to seven years are also acceptable.

This opportunity is especially exciting for donors who may wish to create a named endowment. The MSU Foundation’s minimum is $15,000 for a named endowment. With this program, a gift of $10,000 pledged over a period of up to seven years will receive a 50% match, thus bringing the endowment to a fully funded level.

The Matching Fund for Enhanced Academics provides a golden opportunity for Mayville State supporters to double their impact at the university. For more information about the 125th Anniversary Academic Excellence, contact John Klocke at 701-788-4787 or john.j.klocke@mayvillestate.edu.