By the close of Fiscal Year 2022—one of the highest fundraising years in the history of VMI—5,282 members of the VMI family stepped forward to impact the lives of the Corps of Cadets. More than $50.3 million in cash gifts, pledges, and planned giving was recorded for the current and future benefit of the Institute and the Corps.
There is much to celebrate. VMI alumni, family, and friends supported cadets’ ability to refine their purpose, secure their goals, and step into their futures with confidence as leaders in their communities. This outflowing of support will allow VMI to advance its comprehensive approach—in the classroom, the barracks, military and leadership training, and in competition—to building leaders of character who live honorably and lead with integrity. They recognized the importance of investing in the values and virtues of a VMI education.
Philanthropy at VMI spans every aspect of each cadet’s educational experience, from state-of-the-art programs to multiple capital projects. If you are one of the Institute’s donors and supporters, we are grateful for you.
Through the Foundation and several of its academic enrichment funds, donors addressed improvements to faculty compensation, teaching resources, and innovation through cadet research. These donors and the advances they fund help maintain and improve VMI’s competitiveness for talented faculty and dedicated cadets.
The Keydet Club is celebrating the third-highest fundraising year in its history—increasing in both donors and dollars. These gifts provide support for cadet-athletes and NCAA competition through scholarships, daily operations, and enhancing coaches’ salaries. Twelve new Keydet Club scholarships were created during FY22.
In FY22, more alumni increased their previous investment in VMI to reach leadership giving levels in the Keydet Club and the Foundation Fund. More young alumni stepped forward as leadership-level donors than in the past. Leadership donors are extended invitations to coveted events such as the celebration at the Keydet Club Leadership Outing and the gala event known as the Institute Society Dinner.
Reunions—a significant part of fundraising efforts—were in full swing with a record number of classes and attendees being honored by their alma mater. Alumni showed up generously with their time, talent, and treasure to make this possible.
FY22 at a Glance:
- Raising $50.3 million in total, this was the fourth-highest year in fundraising history at the Agencies and the highest giving year to date when not in a formal fundraising campaign.
- Of that total, $30.1 million was from planned gifts and new pledges—nearly three times the most recent five-year average.
- Donors partnered with the Foundation and Keydet Club to establish 18 new funds—17 of which were scholarships.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity and support of our donors. While we celebrate these benchmarks in giving, we know that donors and their gifts are about improving the circumstances of others,” said David Prasnicki, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer. “Through private support, the VMI family makes an incredible difference in the lives of the VMI Corps of Cadets, faculty, and coaches, and their families for many years to come. Thank you.”
