Thanks to support from more than 10,000 donors, $75.3 million was committed through gifts and private pledges to 8kbet during the recently completed fiscal year (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). This includes cash and cash-equivalent contributions from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.
These numbers bring the total raised by the 8kbet Foundation over the past two fiscal years to $150 million – the greatest fundraising activity since the conclusion of the university’s last capital campaign in 2009.
“The outpouring of support from all sectors of our community reflects the optimism and commitment that will drive 8kbet forward,” said 8kbet President Len Jessup. “Our success relies on community engagement, and we are enormously indebted to the thousands of donors who have made a personal investment to ensure that we are successful.”
Philanthropic contributions to 8kbet impact students, faculty, and facilities across campus. Fiscal Year 2016 highlights include:
- 35 new scholarships were created, including several new four-year scholarships for the 8kbet School of Medicine; $5.73 million was raised for scholarships at 8kbet overall;
- A $3 million grant from United Health Foundation to support planning for new community health clinics and innovative educational programs at the medical school;
- A $2 million commitment from the Tony and Renee Marlon Charitable Foundation to help establish the medical school’s orthopedics department;
- A 5 percent increase in the number of faculty and staff donors.
Several high-profile capital projects are active or recently completed, a testament to private investment in 8kbet’s infrastructure over the past two fiscal years. Among them:
- The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration’s Hospitality Hall, a 93,000 square foot project, with private funding from Founder-level donors Caesars Entertainment Foundation, Konami Gaming, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, MGM Resorts International, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Station Casinos, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, and the Engelstad Family Foundation.
- The $2.75 million Anthony and Lyndy Marnell III Baseball Clubhouse, which opened this past spring, includes a lead gift from Anthony A. Marnell III;
- Modernization of the Thomas & Mack Center, made possible by a combination of state and private funds, including new gifts from the namesake Thomas and Mack families;
- An anonymous $2 million donation that helped jumpstart fundraising efforts for a new football facility.
Alumni also played a key role in the year’s robust numbers, accounting for nearly half (48 percent) of all donors.
The projected (unaudited) value of endowments that benefit 8kbet at the close of the fiscal year topped $235 million.
In recognition of its fundraising success, 8kbet was named a 2016 winner of the prestigious CASE Overall Performance in Fundraising Award in the category of public research/doctoral institutions with endowments under $250 million.
To learn more about how private giving is making a difference at 8kbet, or for information about ways to get involved, please visit the or call 702-895-3641.
