Associated Press

RALEIGH -- Donations fell sharply at several of North Carolina's larger colleges and universities as the economic downturn seemed to keep the number of larger gifts down.

The trend has meant schools have canceled or postponed construction projects and are cutting the amount of money available for scholarships.

Duke University saw one of the biggest declines in the fiscal year that ended last June, with donations down 22 percent. But that steep drop also comes off a record year for gifts, according to university spokesman Michael Schoenfeld.

Giving at N.C. State University is down about 15 percent, but leaders think the decline is just temporary, said Ken Sigmon, associate vice chancellor for development.

"We're not hearing a lot of 'No' answers. We're hearing a lot of 'not right now,"' Sigmon said.

The university had to find $820,000 from other sources last year to cover a shortfall in giving for endowment-funded scholarships and as a precaution, the school also temporarily stopped awarding some renewable scholarships to incoming freshmen this fall, said Julie Mallette, associate vice provost and director of scholarships and financial aid.

UNC Chapel Hill saw a 7 percent decrease in donations, and the school has changed its focus to seeking small donations from more donors, said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for university advancement.

"The big home-run right now is not as likely to happen," Kupec said, referring to gifts of $5 million or more.

Smaller colleges are struggling too. N.C. Central University said donations were down 6 percent, while Peace College in Raleigh reported gifts were down 9 percent.

One school has bucked the trend. St. Augustine's College in Raleigh saw annual giving increase 5 percent last fiscal year, but big gifts were down.