Today @ Colorado State

Campaign for Colorado State

$300 million milestone in comprehensive campaign

November 17, 2009

Despite the national and statewide economic downturn, Colorado State University has surpassed the $300 million mark in its comprehensive campaign targeted to raise $500 million in private gifts by 2012 to support scholarships, academics and campus improvements.

“This milestone in the campaign is a vote of confidence in CSU’s education, research and service in this state and around the world,” said Joe Blake, chancellor of the CSU System. “During these economic challenges, CSU is not sitting idle. It’s so encouraging to see those who care about public higher education and CSU step up to help secure an affordable quality education for our students.”

Student access to a world-class education

The Campaign for Colorado State University, the first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 139-year history, was announced August 30, already having surpassed the halfway mark during the effort’s quiet phase. The campaign’s focus is to ensure student access to a world-class education through scholarships and fellowships, and provide funds to increase quality through enhanced facilities and investments in educational programs.

“Given the very difficult outlook for Colorado’s state budget, it is more important than ever that CSU and its community of supporters do all we can to generate revenue outside of state support and tuition to maintain a world-class university that is both accessible and affordable,” CSU President Tony Frank said. “A significant portion of the funds raised during the campaign will be targeted for student scholarships, to ensure that talented, motivated students from all walks of life continue to have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals at CSU.”

Strong cornerstone of private support

According to CSU’s Vice President for Advancement Brett Anderson, the campaign is building a strong cornerstone of private support for Colorado State and a sustainable financial foundation that will serve the university, its alums and the state of Colorado for generations to come. “Surpassing the $300 million milestone demonstrates the passion alums, corporations, foundations and friends feel for CSU and its mission,” he said.

During the quiet phase, as is typical with similar campaigns, the university received many large donations from key individuals and organizations. Although CSU has recently received some sizable donations, the university has seen a trend of smaller donations - including several first-time gifts - from alumni and friends since the campaign announcement.

Every gift makes a difference

Since Aug. 30, 7,982 supporters, including 2,213 first-time donors, have given $11,011,113 to the Campaign for Colorado State University.

“The campaign announcement went far to get the word out, and we’re already seeing the results. We’ve received many phone calls and e-mails asking about the campaign, and have seen many first-time gifts from people who care about the future of Colorado State University,” said Anderson. “This trend shows that every gift makes a difference, and we know that enhancing relationships with these new supporters will be invaluable for the future of CSU.”

Core focus areas

The campaign’s core focus areas include:

• Academic excellence – Increased funding for scholarships, fellowships, endowed chairs, professorships, and enhanced learning opportunities such as Study Abroad, the Honors Program and experiential learning programs.
• Research and outreach programs to solve universal challenges – Increased funding for library and technology advancement, learning outside the classroom, and economic development, outreach and research.
• New and renovated facilities for a 21st-century university – Increased funding for world-class research facilities and laboratories, classrooms that expand and improve the learning experiences for all students, and Athletics facilities that offer our student-athletes improved opportunities to excel on and off the field or court.

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Contact: Brad Bohlander
E-mail: Brad.Bohlander@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-1545