John A. Hilton Appointed to Leadership Role with University of Vermont Foundation

2012 Jan 4

The University of Vermont began a new chapter in its fundraising history January 1, 2012, with the formal start of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College Foundation, Inc.

John A. Hilton of New York, NY, UVM class of 1968, was appointed to serve on the foundation's Board of Directors (vice chair) and Leadership Council.

The foundation was incorporated in March 2011 and has since been engaged in organizing its administrative and governance structure. The purpose of the UVM Foundation is to secure and manage private support for UVM. It will devote itself to raising financial support for the academic and related priorities of the university, including gifts that will build a supplemental endowment.

"This alliance has broad implications for the financial health of the University, and its impact will be felt throughout the institution," said UVM Interim President John Bramley. "With the establishment of the University of Vermont Foundation, UVM has signaled its intent to become more engaged in the broader scope of American philanthropy."

As the primary and preferred recipient for charitable gifts that benefit the university, the UVM Foundation is an independent organization governed by its own Board of Directors and assisted in its work by a volunteer Foundation Leadership Council comprised of major donors. Foundation responsibilities include identifying and nurturing relationships with potential donors and other friends of UVM; soliciting cash, securities, real and intellectual property and other private resources; and acknowledging and stewarding gifts in accordance with donor intent.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the way the UVM Foundation has come together in the last year," said UVM Foundation President and CEO Richard Bundy, who came to Vermont from the Iowa State University Foundation. "With an outstanding Board of Directors and Foundation Leadership Council in place, capable and experienced fundraising staff, and a strong and expanding base of engaged donors, we're eager to take the university to a new level of philanthropic support."

With the official launch, the 75 staff who were formerly members of the university's Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) became employees of the UVM Foundation, and DAR has been eliminated from the UVM administrative organization. The UVM Alumni Association will continue to operate its various programs and initiatives as an integral part of the overall UVM Foundation.

UVM had its fourth consecutive year of growth in private giving in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and set a new record for fundraising receipts with more than $29 million raised in support of UVM people, programs, and facilities.