Athens, Ga. – More than $4 million has been committed to the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences as part of the college’s 100 Legacies in the Making planned giving campaign.
The two-year campaign, the first of its kind conducted at UGA, ended March 31, with 106 individuals having included FACS in their estate plans, according to Katrina Bowers, FACS director of development.
“The campaign increased awareness of giving to our college on so many levels,” Bowers said. “This was the first significant gift many of our legacies made to FACS since they’ve gone through the thought process of how they want their planned gift designated. Many have gotten excited and want to do something more. Many doors have opened.”
Donors included FACS alumni ranging in age from 25 to 96, including Renita and Rob Anderson, some of the youngest donors.
“It is never too early to make an estate plan,” Renita Anderson said. “I am excited to think about how students in need could benefit from our gifts.”
Professor Emeritus Bill Flatt was also among those making planned gifts.
“I began to think about how I could help others and I realized a planned gift is an easy way to contribute to my favorite cause, which is FACS,” said Flatt, who has established endowments in the college. “It will only help to strengthen the programs that I feel are so important.”
The donations will contribute to funding for student scholarships, the Child Development Laboratory, the family financial planning major, professorships in all four departments and expanding building facilities.
FACS Dean Laura Jolly, who began her tenure in August 2007, said the 100 Legacies in the Making campaign was among the things that attracted her to UGA.
“The 100 Legacies in the Making campaign is an innovative program that has received tremendous support from alumni, faculty, staff and the many friends of our college,” said Jolly. “The willingness of these donors to include FACS in their estate plans demonstrates their desire for our college to continue its teaching, research and outreach missions far into the future.”
According to Bowers, those participating in the campaign had several different ways to contribute including retirement plans, insurance policies, property, annuities, charitable remainder trusts and bequests. Because some gifts will be a percentage of estates, the total raised by the campaign will not be known for many years.
In addition to Bowers, Janet Jones Kendall, FACS development officer, also provided support for the campaign.
The campaign’s achievements were recently recognized with an Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III.
For more information on the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, see http://www.fcs.uga.edu/newfacs/.
