Building a Foundation for Success

Despite ASU being a state-assisted university, the administrators recognized the need for a fundraising entity to solicit and manage private donations to support the types of special programs and projects that continue to elevate the university’s regional and national status.

Vincent’s daughter, Sande Harrison (Class of 1973), retired director of the ASU Alumni Association, has seen the foundation’s growth first-hand and has served as chair of its board of directors since 2013.

“I’ve been involved with Angelo State the whole time I’ve lived here, since 1967,” Harrison said. “It’s so much fun to see so many efforts by so many people come to fruition over the years.”

“Our alumni were so young then,” she added. “It is really in the last five years that we’ve seen a large number of ASU graduates get to the age and the economic status to be able to give back. The gap of funding by the state keeps widening, and the donors’ gifts are the only way to narrow that gap.”

The ASU Foundation solicits, receives, invests and disburses private donations for the benefit of ASU students through scholarships and fellowships, building projects and research support. Endowments are particularly important as they provide an ongoing source of funds that can be designated by the donor. The foundation invests the donated funds, which can be payable over a five-year period, and only the investment income is spent annually.

“With an endowment, you create a lifelong, permanent legacy for ASU,” said Keith Wiley (Class of 1998), vice chair of the foundation’s board of directors. “There is also no better way to create a legacy to remember you or your family.”

“A lot of people think you have to have a million dollars to give,” he added, “but that is not the case.”

The minimum to establish an endowment is $10,000. However, ASU alumni and friends can also donate as little as $5 a month through electronic fund transfers handled by the ASU Foundation and allocated to each donor’s specific area of interest. There are also options for e-giving, annual giving, planned giving, establishing scholarships and matching gifts.

Regardless of method or size, all private donations enhance the educational programs and growth opportunities available to ASU students.

“Without that private funding,” Harrison said, “ASU would be missing out on so many things it currently enjoys and provides to the students, the faculty and the community. The ASU Foundation is the vehicle to provide the funding to sustain and enhance the student experience.”