The Annual Giving Program raises funds to enrich the academic activities and experiences of UNC Asheville's students. While gifts to any department and program are valued, the primary focus of the Annual Giving Program is to secure unrestricted funds through the Chancellor's Excellence Fund, creating resources to address the University's greatest needs.

What is the difference between Annual Fund and Chancellor's Excellence Fund? In the past, Annual Fund was the name given to unrestricted annual gifts to the University. In 2005, the Annual Fund was renamed the Chancellor's Excellence Fund. The new name reflects our commitment to use these gifts to advance the University. As with the former Annual Fund, the resources of the Chancellor's Excellence Fund are used each year for the University's most pressing needs.

Who decides what my gift will support? You can decide what you gift will support by designating your gift to the department or program of your choice when you make your gift. Or, if you make an unrestricted gift to the Chancellor's Excellence Fund, your gift will support the areas of the University's greatest need. The Chancellor works with faculty, staff, and students to identify our most critical needs. The Chancellor's recommendations are presented to the Board of Directors of the UNC Asheville Foundation for approval. 

What does "unrestricted" mean? When you make an unrestricted gift to the Chancellor's Excellence Fund, you allow the University to decide how to use your gift. Unrestricted gifts go immediately where they are needed most--scholarships for underrepresented groups, search for new staff, Admissions open houses, and more. Our use of the Chancellor's Excellence Fund changes from year to year, depending issues facing the University.

Doesn't tuition cover the cost of education? At UNC Asheville, as at most colleges, the cost of education is higher than tuition. Some 17% of the University's budget comes from gifts from parents, alumni, and friends. Approximately 59% of students received some form of financial aid--thanks in part to the generosity of our donors.

Will my gift really make a difference? When combined with gifts from others, your gift of any size has a tremendous impact, helping talented students attend UNC Asheville, sustaining the high quality of our curriculum, and providing other vital support for the University's day-to-day excellence.

Is my gift tax-deductible? Because gifts are managed through the not-for-profit UNC Asheville Foundation, your gift is eligible for charitable deductions to the extent allowed by law.

The University is state funded; it doesn't need any more money.  Because of an 8% decrease in state funding, UNC Asheville must raise funds each year to maintain our high educational standards while remaining affordable to current and prospective students. Income from the Annual Giving Program and endowment bridges the gap between state funding, tuition revenue, and the operating budget.

I paid tuition during my college years, so I've already given enough money. At most colleges, the cost of education is higher than tuition. At UNC Asheville, tuition and fees only covers around 20% of actual costs. As a student, you benefited tremendously from the generosity of others.

My gift won't make a difference. Because your gift is combined with those from others, your gift of any size can have a tremendous impact.

My participation doesn't matter. Your participation does matter. Foundations and other potential donors consider alumni, faculty, and staff giving before awarding grants. They are more likely to award grants to UNC Asheville when our own family supports our institution. In addition, alumni satisfaction--measured by the percentage of alumni who make a gift to the University annually--is used to calculate national rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

For additional information, please contact:  

Rebecca Lamb, CFRE
Director of Annual Giving
Division of Alumni & Development
311 Owen Hall CPO # 1800
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: 828.251.6730
FAX: 828.251.6142
annualgiving@unca.edu