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Manchester College surges
into $4.5 million challenge
issued by
Lilly Endowment
Manchester College is, without question, up
to the latest fund-raising challenge of Lilly Endowment Inc., says Jo
Young Switzer, president of the northern Indiana liberal arts college.
Acknowledging Manchester College’s outstanding success in previous
challenges, the Endowment is offering $1.50 for every $1 the College
receives from its donors – up to $4.5 million!
“Lilly Endowment’s announcement comes at the
perfect time for Manchester,” said President Switzer. “We have just
built a $17 million Science Center and renovated our recital hall – both
without debt. Matching challenges from the Lilly Endowment made both
of those campaigns a success.
“Manchester graduates and friends are
practical people who see the value in a match like this one!”
Manchester is among 34 Indiana colleges and universities to receive
grant offers in the Endowment’s second phase of its Initiative to
Strengthen Philanthropy for Indiana Higher Education. Only 14 schools
will share in the $4.5 million challenge – a reward for their success in
the Endowment’s two previous $1-for-$1 challenges. The 20 other schools
receiving smaller matches had less success in previous challenges.
Manchester has 19 months to raise $3 million to receive the $4.5 million
and may use the funds “for any proper college purpose,” said the
Endowment. The matching period is June 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006.
“This matching challenge jump-starts our new
strategic plan, which continues our tradition of integrating strong
academics with community service,” said President Switzer. The
strategic plan, which the Manchester Board of Trustees will consider for
adoption in late October, will guide future program and construction
decisions – and fund drives.
Manchester College makes good use of Lilly Endowment incentives. The
College raised more than $5 million toward a $3 million challenge,
surpassing every participation goal for alumni, parents, staff, faculty,
friends and students.
When combined with two current challenges from Trustees and donors – a
$1 million dollar-for-dollar match to renovate the College Union and a
$70,000 dollar-for-dollar match to bolster The Manchester Fund – the
Endowment’s latest challenge is particularly exciting for the College.
That multiplies a donation 2½ times! Donor employer matches could
bolster the original donation up to seven times.
Lilly Endowment has enabled Indiana schools to raise more than $140
million through its two previous incentives, said Sara B. Cobb,
Endowment vice president for education.
“It appears that the matching aspect of the initiatives helped these
schools raise more funds from their boards of directors, staff and
faculty, students, parents, alumni and friends.”
“Manchester College appreciates the confidence of Lilly Endowment, and
its continuing generous support,” President Switzer said. “We will put
its generosity to good use.”
Manchester, an independent Church of the Brethren college, offers 45
areas of study on its residential campus in North Manchester, Ind. For
more about Manchester College, visit
www.manchester.edu
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