MU sees record donation numbers

University of Missouri administrators said more than 40,000 donors stepped up and gave a record amount of money to MU for fiscal year 2016.

MU made the fundraising announcement at Jesse Hall on Wednesday.

Administrators said donors delivered, giving $171 million to MU during 2016 — $6.5 million more than the previous record set in 2014.

The announcement comes after a turbulent year for MU. Enrollment numbers are low, and the university is facing a multi-million dollar shortfall for next year.

“We had a lot of explaining to do back in November, but we did a lot of listening before we did any explaining, and I have to say that I think it’s evident that our donor population is happy with the things we’re doing,” MU Interim Chancellor Hank Foley said.

MU is in the middle of its “Mizzou: Our Time to Lead” fundraising campaign. MU has raised $762 million of its $1.3 billion goal.