Four Universities Have Launched $500 Million Capital Campaigns In October

In a period of just one month, four universities have revealed their plans to launch $500 million comprehensive capital campaigns. It’s another indication that despite some strong economic headwinds, universities - both pubic and private - are continuing to pursue ever-more ambitious fundraising goals.

On October 6, the University of Texas at San Antonio announced the public phase of its Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future.

At a Distinguished Alumni Honors Dinner on October 20, Old Dominion University’s new President Brian O. Hemphill revealed his institution’s Forward-Focused: For Dreams and Beyond.

On October 28, Marian University, a private Catholic university in Indianapolis, announced a $500 million fundraising campaign - Journey to 2030: Always Forward.

And finally, this week, Xavier University of Louisiana announced its Press Forward, Fear Nothing, a $500 million campaign, the largest ever at the historically Black, Catholic university in New Orleans that’s approaching its centennial year.

Here's a summary of what’s known about the four campaigns at this point.

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

The “quiet phase” of UTSA’s campaign began in 2017. According to the university, it has already raised $311 million in gifts and pledges. The campaign is focused on raising funds for undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, endowed academic positions, special programs and capital projects across the university’s network of campuses.

Since the beginning of the campaign, more than 39,446 donors have made 116,000 gifts and pledges. In 2021 alone, UTSA received three gifts of $20 million or more: $20 million from Carlos and Malú Alvarez for the UTSA College of Business; $40 million from MacKenzie Scott, which will be used to support first-generation college students and students from low-income families; and $20 million from former Valero CEO and Chairman of the Board Bill Klesse and his wife, Margie, for the College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Marian University

Of its overall $500 million goal, Marian University already has received $240 million in gifts and commitments. The campaign is organized around three main themes: 1) student access and success, 2) STEHM education illumined by the liberal arts and 3) faith in action.

“We have a remarkable vision to provide an education distinguished in its ability to prepare transformative leaders for service to the world, and we are able to create a record of remarkable success in pursuing this vision because of all our generous partners,” said Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener. “We are blessed that members of our university community, the Indianapolis community, and many alumni and friends are eager to generously support our efforts in building this great Catholic university to be at the service of all.”

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion’s Forward-Focused: For Dreams and Beyond capital campaign has raised about $275 million toward its $500 million goal so far.

Of the campaign, President Brian O. Hemphill said, “As we embark on this campaign, Monarch Nation is stepping boldly forward to declare our dreams possible. We will focus our investment and efforts in the areas where ODU is poised to innovate and lead – social mobility, research and workforce development.”

The campaign has identified six areas of focus:

• $100 million in new scholarship support and $8 million for student-led research opportunities, internships and experiential learning;
• $85 million to attract world-class faculty, finance additional department chairs and professorships, and provide faculty state-of-the-art technology and equipment;
• $81 million to support research efforts, with a focus on coastal resilience, cybersecurity and data sciences, maritime, and autonomous systems;
• $70 million in for public health, including mental health initiatives, a public health library, a professorship in substance abuse nursing and a chair in mental health nursing. In addition, ODU is planning to establish a Center for Movement Health and Disability;
• $36 million for new facilities and upgrades, and;
• $120 million for athletics.

Xavier University of Louisiana

The announcement of Xavier’s campaign came during the university's 2022 President's Leadership Breakfast at which Xavier University President Reynold Verret stressed the importance of keeping education affordable for Xavier students.

Verret added, “Mother Katharine and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament gifted us a hopeful vision of a more just and humane society for all. The legacy of this university cannot be understated. Xavier will press forward and fear nothing with boldness and courage as we enter our next one hundred years proudly and committed to the mission with which we have been blessed.”

The campaign has four internal targets:

• $250 million in financial aid;
• $75 million invested in initiatives promoting the well-being and success of students;
• $105 million for various campus upgrades, and
• $70 million for recruiting and retaining faculty & expanding academic programs.

Xavier‘s campaign already has about $65 million committed.