News Release

Philanthropic Giving to Duke in 2005-06 Sets Record

(From the Duke News Service) Duke University received $341,894,326 in charitable gifts between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006, the highest annual philanthropic total in school history. Gifts came from 95,614 donors.

Duke’s previous record occurred in 1999-2000, when it received $302.6 million in philanthropic support.

“The unparalleled support that Duke received will benefit people in every corner of the campus and support projects that extend beyond campus bounds,” said Duke President Richard H. Brodhead. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the Duke alumni and alumnae, parents, students and friends who made contributions. Their generosity gives continuing strength to the university and furthers every good thing that we aspire to do.”

About 41,000 alumni contributed to Duke during 2005-06, more than a third of them in the year’s fourth quarter, April 1-June 30.

Duke’s Annual Fund, supported by more than 44,000 alumni, parents and friends, exceeded its goal for the 31st consecutive year and established a record with more than $25.4 million. Annual Fund donors provide Duke with unrestricted operating support, which helps pay for a wide range of immediate needs and gives university leaders the flexibility to invest in new programs.

The Duke Endowment, the Charlotte-based charitable trust created by university founder James B. Duke, was the university’s largest single donor, giving about $53.6 million for a variety of purposes, including academic and community outreach programs as well as scholarships. In October, the Endowment announced its intention to make its largest contribution ever -- $75 million -- for financial aid endowment at Duke, to be paid over three years.

Robert S. Shepard, vice president for alumni affairs and development, said the record total represents an expression of donor optimism about the university.

“Duke donors have made it clear that they support the university’s direction and are optimistic about its future,” he said. “When we announced Duke’s Financial Aid Initiative last December, we hoped that alumni and other donors would be willing to commit support over a period of time for new endowment that will help assure Duke’s policy of providing scholarships for all needy students. They are doing that, and at the same time they are contributing to the university’s other ongoing annual needs. We are grateful for their confidence.”

The $341.9 million represents philanthropic dollars received during the 2006 fiscal year, not pledges.

For more information contact Peter Vaughn, (919) 681-0448 peter.vaughn@duke.edu

July 17 , 2006