Kansas State University says it has received $141.5 million in gift pledges in the fiscal year that just ended.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the donations for the fiscal year that ended June 30 came from individual supporters and corporate partners, with 57,813 individuals making more than 80,550 gifts.

Alumni made nearly half the gifts and were the largest donor group. While there were also several small gifts, 28 families committed $1 million or more each.

The university says that about 66 percent of the money  was pledged through endowments and deferred gifts that will become available in the future.

Kansas State President Kirk Schulz said in a written statement that private donations are becoming more important as the state covers less of the cost of higher education.