The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association recently unveiled an online engagement center with social-networking capabilities fit to engage — and elicit gifts from — even the feistiest of the Fighting Irish alums.

By Abny Santicola

* Campaign production, which includes all new pledges, as well as planned gifts, brought in about $334 million last year, breaking the record of the previous year of $250 million;

* Cash receipts reached $215 million compared to $180 million the previous year;

* Unrestricted funds, which Nanni says are the most sought-after dollars for universities because they can address the institution’s foremost priorities — whatever they may be at the moment — totaled $31 million, breaking the previous year’s all-time record of $25 million; and