Record-breaking fundraising year

“We are thankful for our many alumni and friends who believe in Emerson’s commitment to the arts, communication, and liberal arts, and who are enthusiastically and graciously helping to support it,” Emerson President Lee Pelton said.

Emerson College just concluded its best year of fundraising – announcing it received a record-breaking $6.34 million in total gifts and pledges during fiscal year 2013.

That amount represents a 33 percent increase over fiscal 2012 and a 21 percent increase from the College’s previous best fundraising year, which was fiscal 2000 when Emerson raised $5.2 million.

“I’m very proud of the work we’re doing to secure support for our critical needs,” said Jeff Schoenherr, vice president of development and alumni relations. “Record support from our alumni and friends demonstrates a continued confidence in the work we are all doing for the College. Our goal is to build on the increasing commitment and generosity from our donors.”

“Record support from our alumni and friends demonstrates a continued confidence in the work we are all doing for the College.”

–Jeff Schoenherr, vice president of development and alumni relations.

The Annual Fund, which is a critical piece of unrestricted support for the College, ended the year with more than $750,000.

In July, Emerson announced receiving a $2 million gift from Leo Hindery Jr., a member of the Cable Industry Hall of Fame, managing partner for InterMedia Partners and founder of the YES Network, and his wife, Patti Wheeler Hindery, former executive vice president of the SPEED channel.

The College continues to focus attention and resources on securing private support to enhance student financial aid, assist faculty initiatives, increase the endowment, and build capacity for Emerson College Los Angeles through The Future Has Your Name On It!, a multi-year, $20 million campaign that was launched in July at the home of Claudia and Kevin Bright ’76, former executive producer of Friends and founding director of ELA. The center is expected to open by early 2014.

Emerson President Lee Pelton said the increasing number of gifts contributes to a strong financial environment, which helps sustain and advance the mission of Emerson.

“We are thankful for our many alumni and friends who believe in Emerson’s commitment to the arts, communication, and liberal arts, and who are enthusiastically and graciously helping to support it,” Pelton said. “I hope they will continue to play an integral part of Emerson’s future as the College embarks on an exciting new era.”