Mississippi State listed among nation's top 400 charities

The annual listing of "The Philanthropy 400," included in the paper's Nov. 1 edition, ranks non-profit organizations according to the amount of private contributions they receive. Mississippi State is one of 141 colleges and universities on the list.

The university was included in the ranking for the first time on the basis of $14.1 million in private contributions in 1992-93, during the first year of The Campaign for Mississippi State. Contributions for 1993-94, which will be reflected in next year's "Philanthropy 400" listing, totaled more than $25 million.

"Private support of Mississippi State plays a critical role in ensuring the margin of excellence and allows the university to do a better job of serving Mississippi," said Dr. Billy Ward, vice president for institutional advancement. "The generosity of alumni and friends translates directly into scholarships for deserving students, equipment and other enhancements that improve undergraduate teaching, and much-needed construction and renovation on campus."

Also included in "The Philanthropy 400" are Millsaps College in Jackson and the Sacred Heart League of Walls in DeSoto County.

The nation's largest charities are the Salvation Army, with almost $683 million in contributions in 1992-93, and the American Red Cross, which received more than $535 million, according to the publication. Harvard University, ranked No. 11 overall with contributions of about $222 million, leads universities in private gifts.