The two fundraising arms of the Division of Institutional Advancement have surpassed their fiscal year 2009-10 goals and are positioned for greater success with enriched relationship-building efforts and technology.

The accomplishments of the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (OSRP) and the Office of Development speak to a spirit of collaboration, says Executive Director of the Foundation and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Carrie Besnette Hauser. “In spite of a historically down economy, the IA Division cross collaborated in achieving its goals, charted out others and spearheaded and/or supported a variety of successful campus efforts.”

OSRP
For fiscal year 2009-10, OSRP secured $6,287,186 in new funding. This reflects a 56 percent increase in new funding over the previous year and a total of $35,970,603 in new and continuing awards in support of faculty and staff research, public service, instruction, academic support and student support services.

The two largest competitive renewal grants were awarded to the Student Support Services program for $1.4 million and the College Assistance Migrant Program for $2 million. New grants include a Building Sustainable Study Abroad Capacity grant for $272,425 for the College’s partnership with Ethiopia.

OSRP Executive Director Gwendolyn Mami says, "Research areas that have enhanced interest in seeking funds range from international education, arts and culture to special populations such as veterans, P-20 education and teacher training. New faculty are also wanting to find resources to continue their work from previous institutions."

To accommodate growing interest in applying for grants, OSRP has recently introduced the Grant Partnering Support (GPS) Program and information sessions for the Community of Science funding database. The latter consists of more than 25,000 funding sources, both public and private.

Development
The Office of Development has reached 123 percent of its 2009-10 fundraising goal, raising $2,714,086. Support that contributed to the increase include a Boettcher Foundation lead grant of $425,000 towards the Center for Visual Art purchase, a $50,000 endowed scholarship in honor of former Alumni Association board member and retired Colorado Housing and Finance Authority CEO Milroy “Roy” Alexander, as well as a $100,000 legacy gift to benefit the Accounting Department in honor of former Chair Virginia Parker. The office also reports 420 new individual donors.

According to Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Cherrelyn Napue, collaboration among development and academic programs has helped to convey the Metro State story to external audiences. “The greatest factor to this success is collaboration with faculty, staff and volunteers. The other leading factor is having a strong talented and enthusiastic staff team,” she says.

Continuing the theme of relationship building, Napue says the department’s new phone-a-thon initiative for the Annual Fund calling program is staffed by Metro State students, and encourages “reminiscing opportunities between alumni and students.” The program, employing 15 students for the fall semester, is a Rightsizing with Technology project.

Also happening this fall is the once-in-a-five year Plain & Fancy Ball, slated for Sept. 25 at INVESCO Field at Mile High. “We are appealing to the Metro State community to help us celebrate the College’s 45^th Anniversary at the ball by purchasing a ticket, donating goods or volunteering,” says Napue.

President Stephen Jordan applauded the commitment of the College’s fundraising efforts. “At my inaugural speech five years ago, I defined an investment stage of the College that would take our resources and leverage them with government grants and private philanthropic giving. We are making great strides in this reinvestment phase, and I continue to be inspired by the individual and collective actions of donors that not only support our students, but also contribute to the overall economic impact of our community.”