Campaign Oregon, the University’s unprecedented $600 million private gift fundraising effort, reached the $500 million mark this month.
Started in January 2001 and scheduled to end in July 2008, the campaign intends to provide the financial means to attract students, recruit and retain faculty, and improve academic facilities. As of May 1, the total stood at $508 million. The campaign is on track to reach the goal on time.
“We are just very pleased to be at this point,” said Shane Giese, Associate Vice President for Development. “We have a really good opportunity to be able to finish up strong on the $600 million goal.”
Coined “Transforming Lives,” the campaign – the most ambitious university fundraising attempt in state history – was built upon the concept that by creating new financial possibilities, philanthropists’ contributions will allow the University to distinguish itself.
University President Dave Frohnmayer called the campaign “the most important mission of my presidency … a transforming experience – for students and the world they will shape.”
Within the massive fundraising goal lie a number of smaller, more focused ones.
Students will likely be pleased to hear 70 percent of the $100 million goal for student scholarships, fellowships, grants and awards has already been raised. The money will, in theory, prevent more students from building up debt, and provide the University with financial resources to “recruit more top students.”
Another major focus of the campaign is boosting faculty recruitment and retainment. $65 million has already been raised, about half of which created the Fund for Faculty Excellence.
“Faculty support gifts are essential to the University of Oregon’s future,” Provost Linda Brady said in a press release.
University alumni Randall Papé and Tim Boyle are the campaign co-chairs. They said “supporting the University is the single most important thing we can do to create a better future for our state and our nation.”
The campaign leadership also hopes to enhance academic programs. Nearly $120 million has already been raised to achieve this end and has provided the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies and the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center with additional funds.
There is also a cultural outreach portion to the campaign.
“(P)rograms that provide knowledge, entertainment and cultural enrichment to the community, the state and beyond” will be supported by the campaign.
Alumni have donated 45 percent of the money, while non-alumni have donated 28 percent. Corporations and foundations, parents, faculty and staff donated the rest.
The University’s last major fundraising campaign was completed in 1998 and raised a total of $255 million. At the time, it was the largest campaign undertaken in state history.
“We like to think we’re kind of setting the trend,” said Giese.
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