CASE Overall Improvement Award for Hampshire Fundraising

Hampshire College received an Overall Improvement Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's 2013 Educational Fundraising Awards.

CASE presents the awards "to superior fundraising programs at educational institutions across the country."

"It's a real testament to alums that we've seen their participation grow from 18 percent making gifts to the College to just shy of 30 percent over the past four years," said Chief Advancement Officer Clay Ballantine. "This award is recognition that broad participation makes a big difference at Hampshire College."

Ballantine noted that major gifts positively effected the College's academic program: A $1 million grant from Gary Hirshberg 72F, chairman and co-founder of Stonyfield Farm, enabled Hampshire to move forward on sustainability initiatives, including the Healthy Food Transition. A $500,000 gift from Hampshire parent Eileen Fisher helped establish the Creativity Center.

A number of endowment gifts supported scholarships, including the launch of the Undocumented Student Scholarship and support for the James Baldwin Scholars program in its 20th anniversary year.

"Philanthropic giving has also enabled Hampshire to move forward on the new campus portal, our first major building project in many years," said Ballantine. In particular, College trustees contributed $3 million dollars in initial support toward the $5 million project.

Ballantine credited advancement and alumni and family relations staffers for their hard work and commitment to the College, as well as many others across campus and in the Hampshire community who have contributed to the fundraising success.

"I'm particularly grateful to the many alumni, parents, and friends who serve as fundraising volunteers, especially for the Hampshire Fund which provides vital operating support for the College," he said.