By Kasey Lynn (Whetstone staff writer)
Wesley has seen a steady increase in donations this year.
Last year, Wesley received 1,226 donations, and in 2010, this increased 26 percent to 1,539.
“More people are giving money than a year ago,†said Eric Nelson, vice president for finance.
The annual fund increased 52 percent to $212,000 this year.
“Wesley is growing and is on the move,†said Christopher Wood, vice president of institutional advancement.
Membership in the Wesley Society, an organization for donors who donate more than $1,000 has increased, too. In the last nine months, membership has gone up to 125 members, which is more than double from last year.
There are three types of donations that Wesley receives.
Designated donations are donations that go to a specific event that Wesley holds or a specific department.
For the freshmen leadership retreat to Camp Saginaw, 31 alumni donated $100 each so that 31 freshmen who could not afford to attend to attend could go.
Unrestricted donations go into Wesley’s annual fund.
These are donations that can go towards any department or event that Wesley has, including scholarships, Nelson said.
Donors do not specify where their donations should be used, which allows the college to use the donation in any area the college sees fit, Wood said.
Permanent donations become endowments. These donations are invested into the college and are not spent.
