» Northwest Foundation » Annual Reports » 2019
FY19 – July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019
The Northwest Alumni Association and the Office of University Advancement’s Alumni Relations and Annual Giving staff continued in FY19 to expand opportunities for alumni and friends to support and connect with Northwest.
The Northwest Alumni Association hosted more events in FY19 than in FY18, representing an increase in total programming by more than 9 percent. Also, more than 32,000 Bearcats attended organized events, an increase of more than 18 percent from the previous year.
A few highlights during the 2018-19 academic year included the Northwest Alumni Association Awards Banquet honoring seven individuals during Family Weekend, the Class of 1968 returned to campus to celebrate its Golden Reunion during Homecoming, Northwest Night at the St. Joe Mustangs and Northwest Day the Kansas City Zoo. Additionally, the Alumni Association’s alumni and friends chapters stayed busy by hosting events and socials throughout the country, and the creation of the Theatre Alumni and Friends Chapter, grew the total number of chapters to 22.
The Northwest Alumni Association’s Tourin’ Bearcats travel program continues to be well received. Upcoming trips to both Greece in the winter of 2020 and New York City, Niagara Falls, and Washington, D.C., in the summer of 2020 have been popular, requiring more seats to be added to both sold-out trips. For more information about travel opportunities, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 660.562.1248.
Alumni Relations continues to strengthen its partnership with areas throughout campus, including the Department of Athletics, Career Services, and the offices of Student Recruiting, Diversity and Inclusion, and Student Involvement. Alumni Relations hosted tailgates, assisted with recruiting Bearcats, attended career fairs, attended the Missouri and Iowa state fairs, and welcomed new students throughout the region at six organized New Student Send-Offs.
The Northwest Alumni Association thanks the almost 300 volunteers who provided their time and support during FY19. In total, time volunteered with the Alumni Association was valued at more than $91,000 during the year.
Overall, dollars raised by the Annual Giving program increased by 36 percent from the previous year. Dollars raised through the call center, mailed appeals and online giving are just a few areas that contributed to the increase in total annual giving. Additionally, membership and dollars raised through The1905 Society increased for the third consecutive year. The tradition of thanking Northwest donors was again celebrated during the fifth annual Thank a Donor Day in April. The event provides an opportunity for students and faculty to come together to say thank you to Northwest’s generous donors.
