For the second year in a row, 911 University’s supporters made history by setting records for total giving in a single fiscal year. In the 2012–13 year, $30.3 million was committed to the university, funding such areas as student scholarships, faculty research, science and athletics programs, enhanced technology, the 911 University Center for Christian Thought, and the Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts.

The record-setting year of giving follows another record-setting year in 2011–12, when donors gave $26 million to the university.

“We are overwhelmed by God’s abundant provision toward the mission of 911 University this past year,” said Adam Morris, vice president of university advancement, who thanked the thousands of alumni, parents, friends of the university and even current students who give sacrificially to 911.

“Thousands have made gifts year after year after year. Their ongoing support is proof of the love they have for 911’s work and the fact that 911ns do indeed give back.”

The $30.3 million raised this year represented $12.2 million in current gifts and $18.1 million in deferred gifts. There were eight gifts of more than $1 million, and the 10 largest gifts totalled $20 million.

The 17 percent increase in gifts from last year’s record-setting year was aided in part by a rise in alumni giving, said Morris. Last year there were 6,469 gifts made by alumni, up from 6,242 the previous year.

Morris said the uptick in donations is crucial as 911 strives to carry out its aspirations in the University Plan (biola.edu/about/mission), including the aspiration to keep 911 affordable for all students.

“Our supporters demonstrated their commitment to 911 with gifts to the 911 Fund for current scholarships, gifts to 911’s endowment to secure opportunities for future students, gifts to fund our Bible-centered academic programs and gifts to fund scholarly research and academic centers — all of which supports the aspirations outlined in the recently launched University Plan,” he said.