Forever Valpo Fundraising Campaign

[VULB#62]

Kinda thought that, but asked anyway.

[crusadermoe]

Good update, VU72.  Thanks.  Do they have a goal date to reach the target?

It seems like the chapel money was given a really long time ago.  And it is counted in the $150m or so to date that you mentioned.   

[vu72]

Good update, VU72.  Thanks.  Do they have a goal date to reach the target?

It seems like the chapel money was given a really long time ago.  And it is counted in the $150m or so to date that you mentioned.   

I'm pretty sure is is a ways out.  It hasn't even been one year since the start.  The last campaign, "Our Valpo Our Time"  was intended to be completed by
the 150th anniversary which was in 2009.  That campaign was started to impart build the new union so was started well before Mark Heckler took the helm.  The building was dedicated in 2009 after Mark became president and I found an article saying that the campaign was at 80% when he took over.

As a result, being at over 60% of goal in less than a year seem pretty remarkable but it also seems like the million dollar announcements have dried up.  I know the $2 million match which was part of the Day of Giving is continuing at this time.

[vu84v2]

I echo the previous comments that congratulate mlb on raising money for the athletic departments and the transition to the MVC. Great job!

I do think that raising money for an endowment is quite challenging. While this may well be necessary and the right tactic, it is difficult to get people to donate to something so amorphous. My guess is that more people want to donate to specific things (buildings, scholarships, etc.).

[crusadermoe]

Hey 72, I hate to be the skunk at the garden party.

I found the chapel gift via google (see below paste) and the $15m gift is even longer ago than I thought.  They have counted it in the $150m in the totals. so they started in 2011 and have taken six years to raise that total to date.  By comparison, Harre and staff raised $230 million in five years. 

Maybe that's why this new campaign chose to put "forever" in its campaign title??   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPEL

$15 million gift to help fund chapel improvements
May 4, 2011 
ShareThis

One of the largest gifts in Valparaiso University history will ensure the preservation of the Chapel of the Resurrection and enable opportunities for significant enhancement to this enduring symbol of faith.

The $15 million gift from the Rev. Mark and Kathy Helge will support the most critical preservation issues facing the chapel while adding programmatic space and technology to position the chapel for its future.



The Helges have a history of giving to Valparaiso University, having also provided the lead gift for the construction of the new Harre Union building, which opened to campus in January 2009. They now have turned their philanthropic focus to the chapel, where the Helges met as students at Valpo.

"Worshipping and working in the chapel was an integral part of our education at Valpo," Mark Helge said. "Both Kathy and I were members of the chapel staff our senior year."

The Helges are members of the 1971 Valparaiso University graduating class.

[vu72]

I think 84 said it well when mentioning that raising money for endowment is a particularly difficult task.  The previous campaign did have an element for the endowment but the union was the primary issue.  The $156 mil raised to date also includes the $1 mil donated to finish the track project.

[vu72]

Another $600,000 for endowment for scholarships in athletics.  I think it is very good to read what President Heckler said about the need to step it up to be able to compete in The Valley.  Great stuff!!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/news/articles/2016-17/17452/endowed-scholarship-established-for-valpo-women-student-athletes/#.WUf0e2grLIU

[bbtds]

As for the Valley, maybe we get lucky if WSU leaves and they come back to is. They wanted us previously and made that clear. There was one strong condition set upon Valpo, "invest in the program with reasonable changes to the ARC."  Valpo wouldn't commit to that, so they moved on to Loyola. So again, until the school prioritizes basketball, these are the discussions we will have.

Seems to me that the Missouri Valley settled and hopes Valpo invests in it's facilities. All I do is keep hoping too (or hope I win the lottery).

[crusadermoe]

Sounds like you nailed it.  But hey, we got to the MVC and due credit to the university leadership.

[vu72]

Nice article about Paul and Jan Schrage and their financial commitment to the basketball program.

http://www.valpo.edu/valpomag/2017/07/16/from-the-happy-meal-to-the-hardwood/

[vu84v2]

Very good article overall!

[covufan]

As for the Valley, maybe we get lucky if WSU leaves and they come back to is. They wanted us previously and made that clear. There was one strong condition set upon Valpo, "invest in the program with reasonable changes to the ARC."  Valpo wouldn't commit to that, so they moved on to Loyola. So again, until the school prioritizes basketball, these are the discussions we will have.

Seems to me that the Missouri Valley settled and hopes Valpo invests in it's facilities. All I do is keep hoping too (or hope I win the lottery).

I think that if we continually are playing for a chance at the 1 or 2 seed of Arch Madness during the last three games of the MVC season, and provide a good (butts in seats) to tough (at home winning %) environment in ARC MVC games, we will/should be judged on these items.

I'm looking forward to watching games, as I believe that the in game atmosphere of the MVC will be very fun to watch - both at the ARC and on the road.

[M]

Got this in an email this morning.  Very nice video with many of the accomplishments over the past year.  Give it a watch and if you feel inspired like I did click the donate button!  http://support.valpo.edu/s/1347/advIndex.aspx?sid=1347&gid=1&pgid=1993

[crusadermoe]

VULB#62 said way back in February that the campaign might reach its end this year.   Have you or anyone else  heard any updates on the target year to complete it?

[vu72]

VULB#62 said way back in February that the campaign might reach its end this year.   Have you or anyone else  heard any updates on the target year to complete it?

I'd be surprised if it ended this year.  They are north of 160MM but that is only roughly 60% of goal.  The last drive ended up at or near 238MM and was running for five years, from 2004-2009.  This campaign officially launched only one year ago.

http://www.buildingindiana.com/vu-campaign-raises-238-million/

[VULB#62]

Yep, that projection was floated at the UWM game alumni reception when people were excited about the quick initial growth toward that $160 million.  The drive has slowed since then.

[crusadermoe]

I might be off on these but it seems they kicked off at 2017 homecoming at about $135 million and reached per today's website they reached $162 million. 

So they gained roughly $25 million in the 12 months.  At that pace they can hit their goal by 2021. 

That would reach $250 million in just 10 years of raising money since 2011.

[crusadermoe]

CAMPAIGN PROJECTION - THANKSGIVING 2017

In a November VU news release, Valpo was given an award for graphic design work on its campaign materials. They are impressive. 

That November article also mentioned that the campaign had passed the $162 million mark. Our friend VULB#62 said on February 7 that $150 million was reported at the Milwaukee pre-game rally.  So $12 million was raised over 9 months between early February and early November.  That is an annualized pace of $16 million per year.

At that rate, we would need 5.5 years to raised the $88 million needed to reach the goal of $250 million.  On this pace, May 2023 will mark the end. 

[valpopal]

I wasn't sure where to post this (could be in "Other Sports" because it relates to football). I thought many of us who have known Walt and Lois Reiner would find interest:



Coach, Teacher, and Humanitarian Walt Reiner Honored with Estate Gift


A person's legacy is more than material items or financial gifts, it is how they are remembered and the difference they made to their family, community, and the world.


As a coach, teacher, and humanitarian, Walt Reiner's legacy is strong. Walt joined the faculty of Valpo's physical education department in 1949 and served as co-head coach of the football team from 1957 to 1964.


To ensure Walt's legacy remains strong at Valpo, Don '64 and Karen '65 Soeken have committed a deferred gift through their estate to create the Walt and Lois Reiner Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund will provide permanent resources to support student-athletes in the football program pursuing a career in public service or in need of financial assistance.


Although football was his passion, Walt was determined to serve a broader community. President O.P. Kretzmann sensed his passion for public service and asked Walt to launch the Youth Leadership Training Program. Walt's inspired leadership led to his appointment as director of Prince of Peace Volunteers in Chicago and the establishment of Project Neighbors in the Hilltop neighborhood near Valpo's campus.


A self-described "community resource redistributor," Walt is credited with bringing new life to Hilltop - including development of Reiner Community Center.


"I will never forget the spiritual impact Walt's volunteerism had on me, my brother Rich Soeken '67, and other students," Don says. "Somewhere in Heaven Walt is looking down and grinning happily as he salutes everyone who continues to support his community service projects."

[vu84v2]

CAMPAIGN PROJECTION - THANKSGIVING 2017

In a November VU news release, Valpo was given an award for graphic design work on its campaign materials. They are impressive. 

That November article also mentioned that the campaign had passed the $162 million mark. Our friend VULB#62 said on February 7 that $150 million was reported at the Milwaukee pre-game rally.  So $12 million was raised over 9 months between early February and early November.  That is an annualized pace of $16 million per year.

At that rate, we would need 5.5 years to raised the $88 million needed to reach the goal of $250 million.  On this pace, May 2023 will mark the end. 

Assuming that the tax reform package gets approved in one of its current forms, there are two aspects of it that may hurt donations.

1. Raising the standard deduction to $24,000 for families, which will reduce smaller donations and have no effect on larger donations. (as a side note, I am very surprised that churches are not screaming about this being in the tax reform package - I would project that this will cause an approximate 10% reduction in donations in churches).
2. Eliminating the estate tax. This only affects a very small percentage of the population, but people who would have paid estate tax will now be more incentivized to pass on assets to their heirs rather than donate to charities.

[vu72]

CAMPAIGN PROJECTION - THANKSGIVING 2017

In a November VU news release, Valpo was given an award for graphic design work on its campaign materials. They are impressive. 

That November article also mentioned that the campaign had passed the $162 million mark. Our friend VULB#62 said on February 7 that $150 million was reported at the Milwaukee pre-game rally.  So $12 million was raised over 9 months between early February and early November.  That is an annualized pace of $16 million per year.

At that rate, we would need 5.5 years to raised the $88 million needed to reach the goal of $250 million.  On this pace, May 2023 will mark the end. 

Assuming that the tax reform package gets approved in one of its current forms, there are two aspects of it that may hurt donations.

1. Raising the standard deduction to $24,000 for families, which will reduce smaller donations and have no effect on larger donations. (as a side note, I am very surprised that churches are not screaming about this being in the tax reform package - I would project that this will cause an approximate 10% reduction in donations in churches).
2. Eliminating the estate tax. This only affects a very small percentage of the population, but people who would have paid estate tax will now be more incentivized to pass on assets to their heirs rather than donate to charities.

I find this hard to believe though we have never had this situation before where charitable deductions were eliminated.  As a giving church member, I never considered the tax benefit, others might. Only 25% of taxpayers itemize to begin with and doubling the standard deduction will knock many more from that category.  The added cash in their pocket, to the extent there is any, may do just the opposite and actually free up money for charitable giving.  We will find out!

[VULB#62]

Weekly donations to your congregation will probably not be an issue.  It is what we would always do.  OTOH, a large donation to, say, ARC expansion might cause second thoughts. Maybe better to hold onto the money and pass it along to the heirs without worrying about inheritance tax.

[vu72]

Weekly donations to your congregation will probably not be an issue.  It is what we would always do.  OTOH, a large donation to, say, ARC expansion might cause second thoughts. Maybe better to hold onto the money and pass it along to the heirs without worrying about inheritance tax.

There are a lot of questions to be answered--SURPRISE!!  One is, for example, if you donate to a charity it may not be deductible but can you avoid the capital gain tax?  I doubt it but that may be a consideration/compromise.

[VULB#62]

Yeah, it's a crazy time -- in many respects.

[vu84v2]

I am not aware of any changes that prevent you from avoiding capital gains tax when donating to a charity. You can do that now and, to my knowledge, it is still allowed. But I have not read the details of the tax "reform" bills.

I thought that the percentage of people that itemize was closer to 50%, but as VU72 pointed out it is much lower (when I looked it up, it was 30%). Still, your larger base of donors are probably married and/or have higher incomes and thus have more opportunities now to deduct - so that might indicate a stronger effect on donations from a dramatic increase in the standard deduction.

I struggle getting past, for a fair percentage of people, how they will not make the following judgement: Currently, a donation of $10,000 is really a net donation of let's say $7500 because I get to reduce my income by $10,000 and I am at the 25% marginal rate (there is, of course, a different argument of whether the government should essentially be making the $2500 contribution...which in effect they are now). Now I want to make the donation, but with tax reform the $10,000 is really $10,000 out of my pocket. So, while I want to be supportive I am not going to donate $10,000 - but will donate maybe $9000 instead and feel good about myself because I am donating more money out of my own pocket.

VULB#62: most people in churches don't make weekly offerings, they pledge an amount that they will donate for the year and then make payments (sometimes during weekly offerings, but often in other ways) to meet their pledge. Thus, the medium and larger donors to churches are not making a weekly decision of whether to donate a fairly small amount, they are making an annual decision to donate a much larger amount. My guess is that one is more likely to consider whether a contribution is deductible when they are considering a larger amount of money.

As both VU72 and VULB#62 suggest, there are a lot of questions. Do people donate more if taxes are reduced? (you would hope yes, but cynical me suggests that they spend more). Will people realize that tax reform changes their incentives to donate money? (my guess: likely not at first, but over time yes).