The University of Oklahoma has recorded an all-time high in both the number and total amount of private gifts received for any six-month period for the first half of Fiscal Year 2013 with almost $140 million in gifts through Dec. 31.

OU received $139,709,883 in private gifts over the last six months compared to $85,395,552 during the same period last fiscal year.

“In this time of tight state budgets, private gifts to the university mean even more.  The generosity of our donors helps keep the door of opportunity open to our students and also helps to maintain our high standards of excellence,” said OU President David L. Boren.

The report on private giving, made at the regular meeting of the OU Board of Regents in Norman, also showed a significant increase in the number of private gifts, as well as a rise in pledged commitments of support over the last six months.

The number of private gifts has risen by more than 1,800 from 27,585 so far in FY 2013 compared to 25,734 at this time last year. The amount of pledged support has increased to $9.2 million compared to $8.8 million last year.

OU’s critically important Campaign for Scholarships is now at $214 million in gifts and commitments, up $24 million from this time last year. The figure includes the College of Medicine’s Second Century Campaign for Scholarships, which has raised $7,162,334 since it was launched in March 2011.

Thanks to the success of the overall Campaign for Scholarships, OU students began the 2012-2013 academic year with more privately funded scholarships available to them than at any other time in OU history.

Gains also have been made in corporate giving and in alumni participation and fundraising.  OU received $142 million in corporate gifts from FY 2009 to FY 2012, compared to $96 million from FY 2005 to FY 2008 – a 50 percent increase.

The number of OU alumni clubs has grown to nearly 100 clubs worldwide in 2012, up from 44 clubs in 2001.  Alumni club fundraising has increased from $350,000 in FY 2006 to $600,000 in FY 2012.  More than $350,000 has been awarded to current students this academic year through alumni club scholarship programs.  Additionally, Alumni Association revenue provided more than $100,000 in additional support for scholarships and student organization funding for the 2012 fiscal year.  The Alumni membership program saw an increase from 3,478 gifts in 2010 to 4,400 gifts in 2012.