FUNDRAISING EFFORTS AT SNOW CONTINUE UPWARD TREND
2005 Total is Highest yet in Benson’s Tenure Except for 2002 when Eccles’
$1.5 Million Gift was Received
EPHRAIM, Utah—March 13, 2006—Snow College today
announced that $1,208,140 were raised in 2005 – the third straight year
that the total has increased. Snow brought in $885,267 in 2003 and $1,097,700
in 2004. Only the $1,889,735 raised in 2002 surpass 2005 totals.
“The second highest annual total is a significant milestone for the College
– especially considering that the previous annual high included $1.5 million
from the Eccles Foundation,” stated Michael Benson, president of Snow
College. “That money was used to construct the spectacular Eccles Center
for the Performing Arts.”
Annual development totals have skyrocketed nearly 500 percent under President
Benson. In the five years prior to Benson’s tenure, Snow averaged $263,733
per year. From 2002-2005, Snow has averaged $1,272,813 per year.
At his inauguration in 2003, Benson outlined his vision for Snow College and
introduced “FPASS” to students and faculty – an acronym for
facilities and faculty, programs, athletics and student scholarships. They represent
areas of focus and are broken down each year as fundraising priorities. In 2005,
over $528,000 were raised for student scholarshipse and over $500,000 were raised
for facilities.
“While we’ve been fortunate to secure money for bricks and mortar,
I’m pleased with the scholarship donations we’re receiving,”
said Benson. “We dropped a little this year but we’ll continue to
make it a focus.”
Snow raised $284,940 in 2002 towards scholarships, $348,827 in 2003, $635,178
in 2004 and $528,118 in 2005. While the growth is significant, the College could
use much more in scholarship donations.
“We’re thrilled with the generosity of so many but we can still
use much more. We don’t have the large endowments that other colleges
and universities do so we invite existing and new donors to establish endowments
or give annual scholarships,” explained Benson.
In 2006, Snow will receive a $500,000 gift from Jon and Karen Huntsman –
the first installment on a $2 million pledge to the Karen Huntsman Library.
Benson and other Snow officials are lobbying the State Legislature to secure
the funding necessary to move forward with the design and construction of the
library. The project has gained momentum and increased support because the $22
million price tag is offset with funds Snow has raised - $2 million from the
Huntsman’s, $1 million from Sanpete County, $100,000 from Ephraim City
and $200,000 from the federal government.