July 1, 2013 – Craftsbury Common, Vermont— Sterling College celebrates a successful fund-raising year with $546,723 in charitable gifts for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2013. This amount is as of July 1, 2013. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund account for 10% of the college’s operational budget, and supports endeavors such as financial aid, faculty and staff compensation, and academic resources.
Of significant help with this year’s fundraising goals, Derr continued, were two matching grants: one from an anonymous foundation that matched $50,000 in donations, and one from trustee and Sterling College neighbor Penny Schmitt, who created a $75,000 matching fund, as well as a gift designated for improving campus signage.
Over 500 alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and corporations gave to Sterling College for the 2012-2013 Annual Fund.
This year’s giving is a 42% boost from the 2011-2012 giving year, when Sterling College raised $315,000. The 2011-2012 budget year also saw a one-time grant of $383,612 from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.