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OREM, Utah (AP) -- An Arizona couple known for their generosity to educational institutions will donate more than $400,000 to Utah Valley State College.
The contribution by Phoenix philanthropists Ira and Mary Lou Fulton is a dollar-for-dollar match of funds raised by the Utah County-based school as part of the "Fulton Challenge" begun last spring.
UVSC exceeded its original fundraising goal of $300,000, college spokeswoman Megan Laurie said. Students, faculty and staff all participated in various fundraising programs, including payroll deductions, dances and coin-deposit jars set up on campus.
"It really has changed the thinking about fundraising on campus," said Linda Makin, UVSC's budget director.
That UVSC could meet and pass its original goal was a surprise to the Fultons, who earned their fortune in retail stores and housing developments. Other schools had difficulty meeting fundraising targets during similar challenges, UVSC President Bill Sederburg said.
By Christmas, UVSC had raised $420,000.
The Fultons will match the total of donations made through Dec. 31, their foundation's local spokesman Art McKinlay said.
For the past three years, BusinessWeek has included the couple on its list of the 50 Most Generous U.S. Philanthropists. It's estimated that the Fultons have given $265 million, or about 60 percent of their net worth.
Arizona State University has received more than $100 million from the couple. The Fultons also gave $82 million to Brigham Young University and more than $10 million to the University of Utah.
Information from The Deseret Morning News
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
