UW Foundation turns 65

On March 20, 1945, the UW Foundation was established to raise funds for “a great post-war development program for the university.” An influx of students — mostly World War Ⅱ servicemen — lack of infrastructure investment during the war years and the nation’s need for educated workers required that something be done to supplement legislative allocations to the university.

The foundation’s first brochure introduced the surprisingly radical idea that “alumni and friends of the university must be given an opportunity to assist in developing the university…” A combination of unrestricted gifts and gifts designated to a specific campus priority continue to supplement steadily decreasing state support and enable the university to pursue its mission of serving the state and the world. Disbursements to the university for facilities, programs, scholarships and fellowships and faculty and administrative support from 1945 through November totaled $2.2 billion.

Refusing to accept a salary himself, the foundation’s first executive director, William J. Hagenah, managed a two-person office at 905 University Ave. First-year gifts totaled $95,378.

In 1946, the Centennial Campaign, headed by Herbert V. Kohler, a Yale alumnus, set a goal of $5 million by the university’s 1949 centennial year in 1949. Thirteen years later, the campaign reached its target.

Robert Rennebohm joined the foundation as executive director in 1955. He was later named president and is the foundation’s longest-serving leader. Until 1980, executive directors were elected officers of the board. All nine previous directors were volunteers.

In 1983, 40 UW–Madison students inaugurated “Wisconsin Calling.” Renamed Wisconsin Telefund, this phonathon initiative employs several hundred students annually and has raised nearly $70 million for the university.

Andrew “Sandy” Wilcox became the foundation’s second president in 1988. Foundation staff moved into their current home at 1848 University Ave. in 1995. He recently announced his retirement, and a search for his replacement is under way.

The Create the Future campaign, launched in 2003, set an unprecedented goal of $1.3 billion. When the campaign ended in 2007, alumni and friends, faculty and staff had contributed more than $1.8 billion.