Foundation for Upstate Medical University sets fundraising ‘record’ in 2012

The Foundation for Upstate Medical University today announced it raised $9.4 million in 2012, the largest amount the organization has collected in its 36-year history.

The $9.4 million figure represents a nearly 52 percent increase over the $6.2 million raised in 2011, the medical school said in a news release.

A fundraising report from the State University of New York (SUNY) ranked Upstate’s foundation fifth out of the 64 SUNY schools for fundraising success during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to Upstate Medical.

Despite all of the year’s economic “turbulence and uncertainty,” punctuated by the “fiscal cliff” at the end of 2012, the Central New York community gave “generously,” Eileen Pezzi, Upstate’s vice president for development, said in the news release.

“Donors gave to our campaign for the new Upstate Cancer Center; supported Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital on an ongoing basis; contributed to Friend in Deed, Upstate University Hospital’s annual fund; helped create scholarships and advance research; and made donations to one of the foundation’s more than 700 funds.”

The Foundation for Upstate Medical University supports Upstate University Hospital’s downtown and Community campuses, including Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

In addition, the foundation raises money for Upstate’s four colleges, including the colleges of medicine, graduate studies, nursing, and health professions.

It also raises money for Upstate’s research enterprise, the medical school said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com