Meredith Reports Highest-Ever Fundraising Totals

Meredith has experienced the highest fundraising total in its history, raising more than $18 million in the 2013-14 fiscal year. Meredith’s previous fundraising record for a single year was $7.2 million.

Meredith College is in the early phase of its Beyond Strong fundraising campaign, which will be its largest campaign in history. The Beyond Strong campaign is building momentum toward Meredith’s 125th anniversary in 2016.

The Campaign supports six priorities identified through the College’s strategic plan: educational excellence, optimal enrollment, enhanced financial strength, cutting edge facilities and technology, greater visibility, and enhanced quality of life.

President Jo Allen said donors have given to Meredith for many reasons.

“It is so touching to hear donors’ reasons for giving to Meredith – oftentimes to honor a mother, wife, daughter, or sister who excelled here,” said Allen. “Others give because they value Meredith’s dynamic legacy of educating students to become even stronger and because they know the power of educated women in corporations, nonprofits, communities, and families.”

The Beyond Strong campaign has been supported by the Meredith College Campaign Planning Committee, led by honorary co-chairs Judy Woodruff, ’68, and O. Temple Sloan, Jr.

“This is an exciting and critical time for Meredith,” said Sloan. “We are off to a great start in our campaign to take Meredith to the next level.”

Strong fundraising results are one of many successes of Meredith’s strategic plan. Meredith’s endowment has grown to more than $93 million, the highest in College history.

Meredith has also seen strong enrollment this academic year. With 471 students, the Class of 2018 is Meredith’s second-largest incoming freshman class. The Class of 2018 is the first to experience StrongPoints™, an innovative advising and personal coaching model set to be a defining element of the Meredith educational experience. Through this comprehensive initiative, students identify their strengths, and examine over the course of their four years at Meredith how those strengths can help them shape their academic options, experiential involvement outside the classroom, financial goals, and career options.

Meredith’s fundraising and enrollment successes have been supported by the 2013 launch of Meredith College | Going Strong, a new branding and advertising campaign that is part of the College’s strategic plan goal to enhance visibility.

For more on the strategic plan, read Meredith Forever: Strategic Plan Year Two Highlights.

Campaign Planning Committee 2014-15

The Campaign Planning Committee has played an important role in Meredith’s fundraising success, as the College lays the groundwork for the Beyond Strong campaign.

“These wonderful volunteers are special friends who work for the benefit of the College, with no thoughts of their own time and resources being expended,” said President Jo Allen.

“We owe them our gratitude for a phenomenal year.”

Allen praised the committee members for their support of Meredith.

“The Campaign Planning Committee brings connections, insights, and a passion for Meredith that truly make a difference with Beyond Strong,” said Allen. “Serving in this capacity means making Meredith and her success a priority, and it speaks of a willingness to encourage others to invest in the College’s future.”

Honorary Co-chairs
O. Temple Sloan, Jr.
Judy Woodruff, ’68

Co-chairs
Jo Cooper, ’67
Ann Lowery Shivar, ’74

Ex-officio Members
Maureen K. O’Connor
Paula Sims

Committee Members
Christie Barbee, ’83
Peggy Beale, ’77
Elizabeth Beam, ’72
Rogers Clark
Leo Daughtry
Lawrence Davis
Elizabeth Dove, ’84
Loren Edwards
Andrea Fox, ’95
Leslie Hayes, ’80
Alex Holmes
Ann Batson James, ’67
Phil Kirk
Gene Langley
Durwood Laughinghouse
Billy Maddalon
Kel Normann
Allen Page
Matthew Poslusny
Silda Wall Spitzer, ’80
Fran Teter
Deborah Tippett
Richard Urquhart