The Arts Are Alive

The arts are alive at Kennesaw State University, and there is, perhaps no better proof than the new College of the Arts fundraising campaign. Launched earlier this summer, the COTA Campaign, is intended to help alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community understand the value of giving to the college. It seems to be working; early gifts to the campaign have pushed more than halfway toward its $10,000 goal.

“Often, people think they have to make a large gift in order to make a difference,” says Stacie Barrow, director of development for the College, “but every single gift is important. We honor every gift.”

Large or small, every gift does count for the College of the Arts. Gifts of $20, $50 or $100 can help provide a scholarship or fund a special program. As state funding continues to grow leaner, the College must rely on the generosity of its friends to sustain its high level of excellence.

Also, small gifts actually help the College solicit larger gifts. “Granting agencies and corporations often want to see that a College has high participation from faculty and alumni before they will make a commitment. They want to know that the people who are close to the College believe in it enough to contribute their own money.”

Many colleges run annual giving campaigns, but the COTA Campaign is slightly different because donors are able to designate how their gift will be used. The institution usually determines how to spend the money, but the College of the Arts has decided to let the donors choose. The campaign brochure, entitled “The Arts Are Alive,” specifically outlines several areas for designation, including the Dean’s Fund, each of the College’s departments, the Performance Hall, the Art Museum and scholarships. However, donors may contact Barrow to target their gift even more directly, by contributing to a specific scholarship fund like the Oral Moses Voice Scholarship, the Ayokunle Odeleye Minority Recruitment Scholarship or the Jo Ann Durham Arts Scholarship, for example.

To find out more about the campaign or how to make your gift, e-mail arts@kennesaw.edu or call 770-499-3214.