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Record giving welcome during fiscal uncertainty MUSC received a record $33.8 million in philanthropic gifts and pledges during fiscal 2002-2003, an increase of 12.1 percent compared to the previous year, according to the university’s year-end fund-raising report.  University President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., said the year’s success was especially significant in that it occurred during a time when economic uncertainty had created a challenging environment for philanthropy.  In June the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University released a survey in which more than 85 percent of the responding non-profits said that the economy was having a negative or very negative impact on fund-raising efforts, compared to six months earlier. “At a time when state funding of public health and higher education is declining, philanthropic support ensures that we can continue educating health care practitioners for South Carolina and advancing medical research,” said Greenberg. “We are grateful that the community has supported the Medical University so enthusiastically. We also are grateful to our board members and other volunteer leaders for their role in making this success possible.” The largest share of the year’s contributions—almost $16 million—came from individual university friends, a broad mix of former patients, alumni, staff and other supporters. Giving among these benefactors increased 5.2 percent over the previous year.  Meanwhile, corporate donations to the university jumped 30.1 percent to $7.1 million, and foundation support reached $5.8 million.  The sharpest increase in giving took place among non-profit organizations. While the number of non-profits making a contribution to the university held steady at 303, the size of the average gift nearly tripled, resulting in a record $4.6 million in non-profit support for the year.  University employees gave a total of $771,475 to MUSC programs, an increase of 28.4 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. Leigh Manzi, execu-tive director of the university’s development office, said that an abundance of important giving opportunities were largely responsible for the year’s fund-raising success.  The university is currently raising money to fund the construction of the Children’s Research Institute, as well as major expansion projects at Hollings Cancer Center and the College of Dental Medicine. The university also is preparing to restore and expand the former High School of Charleston for use by the College of Health Professions, a project that is expected to entail private monies.  In addition to these capital projects, the university will use the year’s gifts to create scholarships, attract and retain faculty and clinicians, and fund medical research efforts. “There are so many exciting things taking place here on campus today, and I think that creates a very positive environment for philanthropy,” said Manzi. “People in general like being part of something that has such a beneficial, long-term impact upon the community.”    Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.