COLUMBIA, SC — Fundraising by non-profits across the country has become more challenging than ever before; however, this was not the case for SCICU in 2016 as the association accomplished a record-setting year exceeding its fundraising goal by over $60,000.
For the 2015-16 fiscal year, SCICU distributed over $649,000 to its 20 member colleges through the various programs. Leading the way was the SCICU Named Scholars Program that awarded $381,000 in scholarships to 277 students. The Named Scholars Program is funded by generous donations from corporations and foundations. In 2015-16, the following twelve companies/foundations had established scholarship programs at SCICU: Bailey Foundation, BB&T of SC, Colonial Life, Council of Independent Colleges, Duke Energy, Sanders Family Foundation, SCE&G/SCANA Corporation, SC Student Loan Corporation, Sonoco Products Foundation, UPS Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, and Williams & Fudge Foundation. Eligibility criteria for the scholarships are established by the donors with student selections made by the colleges.
In addition to the Scholars Program, $90,000 was awarded by SCICU to fund 36 student research projects through the SCICU Faculty/Student Undergraduate Research Program, and over $111,000 was distributed to our member colleges through the SCICU Unrestricted Giving Program. And our sponsors provided $32,000 in support throughout the year to other SCICU events and programs including the SCICU Business Partners Program, the Guidance Counselor Campus Tour, the Excellence in Teaching Dinner, the College Guide, and two SCICU Trustee meetings.
SCICU’s Executive Vice President Eddie Shannon attributed the success to the hardworking SCICU Development Committee, chaired by Lonnie Emard, and to the loyal and generous companies, foundations, and individuals that have supported SCICU over the years. SCICU has four 60+-year donors, five 50+-year donors, six 40+-year donors, and thirteen 30+-year donors. There is a level of loyalty and generosity from our donors that is unparalleled around the country. In addition, in 2015-16, SCICU again reached its annual goal of 100% giving participation by the Board of Trustees.
We say “thank you” to all of our generous donors and ask for your support again in the 2016-17 fundraising year that is currently underway. For prospective donors to learn more about giving opportunities at SCICU and to make a gift to any of our programs, visit our website at scicu.org and click on “Make A Gift” on the gold horizontal ribbon. We will appreciate your support in making 2016-17 another record-breaking year.