LSU athletic fundraising aims high

LSU’s athletic program is the fifth most ambitious program among the six major conferences in terms of its athletics endowment fundraising goal, according to a survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSU’s program, among more than two dozen athletic departments running or planning endowment campaigns, has set a goal of $155 million. LSU is among at least eight schools in the nation with goals in excess of $100 million. The Chronicle notes that sports programs are putting more emphasis on endowments to cover rising costs amid projections that annual giving will decline at least through the next year because of the recession. LSU athletics has some work to do to reach the $155 million mark, with an endowment valued at only $4.7 million last year, according to the Chronicle. LSU athletics received $30.4 million in donations in 2007-08, placing it 10th in the overall ranking. Perks are a big part of fundraising: Gifts to LSU’s program in 2007-08 included $4.5 million for priority seating, $11.8 million for luxury suites and $7.3 million for facilities, in addition to $2.1 million for endowments. Fifty-five of the 73 colleges in the six major conferences responded to the survey.—Steve Clark