Impactful. Strategic. Efficient. These are the first three words that come to my mind when I think about the Foundation’s efforts in raising, investing, managing and allocating its resources. I have the perspective to say this after serving as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors for four years and as chair for the past two years.
The University’s comprehensive fundraising initiative — Bold.Brilliant.Binghamton – The Campaign for Binghamton University, now in its final year — continues to push toward our goal of $95 million with the help of nearly 30,000 donors. This campaign is the definition of the word impactful. It will enable talented students to pursue an outstanding education, second to none, and to prepare for success in their careers and lives once they graduate. The campaign also supports faculty development, research programs and the greatest needs of the University.
During my time on the board, the stock market has had wild swings and, recently, the Foundation board made a decision to move to a new fiscal partner. This move was strategic and, while other endowments have suffered, our endowment has reached a historic high.
The Foundation has become more efficient through efforts such as lowering our endowment fee structure during the past year. This move ensures that the bulk of funds donated go directly to the greatest needs of the University.
Discover for yourself how impactful, strategic and efficient the Foundation is in this annual report. You’ll read 10 stories highlighting how Binghamton students, faculty, academic programs and facilities have benefitted from Foundation support. The stories cover the many dimensions of Binghamton University — from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education to the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Management — and across fields as diverse as healthcare and the arts, computer science and teacher education.
These stories and hundreds more like them illustrate why my role has been so rewarding. Each provides confirmation that the Binghamton University Foundation continues to be an excellent steward of the financial resources entrusted to it — doing so efficiently and strategically while making an impact.
The work of the Foundation and its board are possible because of the support of thousands of donors who are listed in this annual report. My sincere thanks go to each of you for your generosity, support and belief in the mission of Binghamton University. It has been an honor serving as chair of the Foundation Board of Directors because of people like you who care as much as I do about Binghamton.
Thank you.
Cordially,
Mark Zurack ’78