Local homebuilder and philanthropist announces
new challenge for 2006
A challenge from Phoenix-area homebuilder and philanthropist Ira A. Fulton and his wife, Mary Lou, resulted in ASU students, faculty and programs receiving more than $1.4 million in new charitable contributions in 2005. Building on that experience, Fulton announced on Valentine’s Day, 2006, a 3rd round of Fulton Challenges! These challenge grants are designed to achieve two goals:
- Continue to encourage first-time gifts from alumni, faculty and staff, and
- Instill a spirit of annual giving on the part of other alumni, faculty and staff who gave previously.
The College of Nursing’s Third Fulton Challenge was again $25,000. To learn how you can support the College of Nursing, please e-mail Laurel Van Dromme or phone (602) 496-0879.
In February 2005, Fulton and the ASU Foundation announced the terms of the 2005 Fulton Challenge: Seven ASU colleges would participate, including the College of Nursing with each setting a specific amount of contributions that they would raise from alumni, faculty, students and friends of the college. If they met their goal by the end of the year, the Fultons would match that amount with an investment of their own.
The results of the Challenge were outstanding. Not only did the schools achieve their goals, all surpassed them. In addition, the Fultons agreed to match not only the original goal, but all monies raised by the college.
The College of Nursing raised a total of $55,873 with the Fultons matching that for a total of $111,746. Bernadette Melnyk, dean of the College of Nursing, said funds raised would support a new health and wellness center at the college’s downtown Phoenix location when it opens in August, and to produce and distribute children’s books dealing with violence and family transitions.
“Through the Fulton Challenge, Mary Lou and Ira once again demonstrated their affection for ASU and commitment to its students, faculty and staff,” said Ira A. Jackson, ASU Foundation president and CEO. “They are ASU’s most generous financial supporters, having committed $162 million to the university during the past four years. What makes them unique is their desire to create a ‘culture of giving’ here, where everyone associated does his or her own part – large or small – to help the university grow and achieve its vision. By sponsoring the Fulton Challenge, Mary Lou and Ira hoped to motivate others to give by showing them how their investments could go much further. It’s safe to say they succeeded in their efforts.”
