With Homecoming well underway and many alumni around campus, one would assume that the university would be asking them for donations.

But contrary to popular belief, Eastern does not solicit alumni specifically during Homecoming while they enjoy their trip to campus.

Steve Rich, the executive director of the Alumni Association, said he wants alumni to enjoy their Homecoming, and not be bothered to pledge funds.

“We encourage people to come back to Charleston for Homecoming to have a good time, no one is going to ask them for money while they are here,” he said.

Donations are usually taken in small increments, which are called the Annual Fund, through the EIU Alumni Foundation, Rich said.

When members donate to this fund, they can specify to which department or organization their donations will go.

In fiscal year 2010, the university received just over $2.5 million in what is known as gift in kind (cash donations or other tangible donations), Rich said.

This number does not include pledged gifts such as investments or when an alumnus leaves parts of their estate to the university in his or her will.

Nor does it include the endowment (money that the university invests to pay interest off). Karla Evans, executive director of philanthropy, said despite it being Homecoming weekend, more funds are not pledged.

“Fundraising is a year round activity,” Evans said. “It’s not connected to the academic year and the flow of campus.”

While Rich and Evans said their departments do not see an increase during Homecoming, the Annual Fund does see an increase around the holidays.

“Our biggest month is typically December,” Rich said. “It’s the end of the financial year and around the holidays. People are in a giving mood.”

Eastern to launch the Capital Campaign

While Eastern does not solicit donations during Homecoming, the Alumni Foundation, Department of Philanthropy and the university administration are planning to launch what is known as the Capital Campaign. The launch will take place at the Alumni Awards Banquet on Saturday night.

Prior to the launch of this campaign, the university was in what is known as the “silent phase,” meaning they have not publicized any gifts or donations since 2006, Evans said.

At the launch, many of these donations will be made public. President William Perry will announce Eastern’s financial goal, what has been raised thus far, along with his goals for the future of the university.

“It is going to be a good time,” Evans said. “EIU has a great reputation and people are very confident in the president’s leadership, we often even receive donations from people who have never even attended school here.”

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at alwywialowski@eiu.edu.