The University of Missouri-Kansas City Chancellor Leo E. Morton and UMKC Foundation Chairman Alan Atterbury announced this morning that an affiliation agreement has been finalized defining the relationship between the UMKC Foundation and the Curators of the University of Missouri. The foundation will have primary responsibility for fundraising from private sources on behalf of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), with all funds raised by the foundation to benefit UMKC. The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the agreement July 24.
“This agreement fulfills the community’s desire to be more actively involved in fundraising for UMKC by taking a leadership role,” said Morton. “As a locally controlled entity, the UMKC Foundation will collaborate with the University to develop the philanthropic strategy to support the vision and mission of UMKC.”
“The affiliation agreement we are announcing today establishes a new approach to fundraising for UMKC, one that will allow us to better reach the community donors whose contributions make all the difference in what an urban university can be,” said Atterbury. “We are grateful to the UMKC Trustees and other community leaders who initiated and funded this effort, to the University of Missouri Curators for their approval, to President Forsee for his leadership, and to Chancellor Morton who has worked tirelessly on this effort. It is now time for us to move forward together to build the support that this University needs to be great.”
University of Missouri System President Gary D. Forsee worked with Morton and Atterbury to finalize the agreement. “We anticipate a significantly strengthened fundraising ability for UMKC thanks to the leadership and support of the members of this foundation,” said Forsee. “I am pleased that the foundation’s board is broadly representative of Kansas City interests and focused on the needs of this great public institution. The agreement represents a significant step forward for the region.”
The foundation will be initially governed by a nine member board that includes Morton. As the Board expands, up to 20 percent of the members can be appointed by President Forsee. The transfer of responsibility from the university as the primary fundraiser for UMKC to the Foundation will begin on August 1. Murray Blackwelder, who recently completed a successful $1.7 billion campaign at Purdue University, serves as president of the foundation as part of the affiliation agreement’s transition plan. Blackwelder will assume oversight for current employees of the University who have been responsible for raising funds from private sources for UMKC. Advancement functions will be transferred to the foundation.
“Future fundraising activities are currently being planned,” Blackwelder said. “The foundation anticipates an increase in contributions benefitting UMKC and looks forward to greater collaborations that will augment the university’s capacity to realize future financial stability.”
The foundation will seek to consolidate existing funds that have been provided for support for various aspects of the UMKC community, thereby enabling the consolidation of investment fund management. The foundation will develop a strategy for a new capital campaign by the end of calendar year 2009 that will include specific goals for cash, deferred gifts and endowment assets.
To review the Agreement, visit Affiliation Agreement.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.