ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's Federated Campaign Passes $1 Billion Fundraising Milestone

ADELPHI, Md. (September 18, 2008) - Just three years into the seven-year fundraising initiative, the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø (ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø) federated campaign has raised $1.03 billion as of July 31, 2008. The  campaign--which includes all of the system's 11 universities and two research institutions--has a goal of raising $1.7 billion in private donations by June 30, 2012.

"This campaign has reached many milestones--and not just in terms of historic levels of support for our institutions," said ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Chancellor William E. Kirwan. "Our universities have been extraordinarily successful in creating a culture of philanthropy and strengthening their fundraising infrastructures. The ongoing value of this for ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's public universities cannot be overstated."

"For every one dollar invested in fundraising, ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø institutions generate seven dollars in private support," said Leonard Raley, ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's vice chancellor for advancement. "Across the system, university advancement offices are breaking new ground and encouraging private giving to support students, attract renowned faculty, and build world-class facilities. This philanthropy directly benefits the state by strengthening ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's public educational and research institutions that fuel innovation, drive our state's knowledge economy, and prepare our citizens for success in the workforce."

ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø has received more than 265,000 gifts during the campaign's first three years. Many gifts have been for $100 or less. In addition, the campaign has raised more than 120 gifts of $1 million or more.

"This is a campaign for all ϡȱÁÔÆæÍøers, touching everyone in the state directly or indirectly," said Raley.

In addition to state general funds that help to support the annual operating budgets of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø institutions, private philanthropy is vital to the success of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's public universities. More than one-third of monies raised through the federated campaign will be dedicated to need- and merit-based scholarships that provide access to higher education for ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's talented students and for those who might not otherwise be able to afford college.

Funds raised by the federated campaign are also being used to launch new academic programs in fields such as business, pharmacy, biotech, elder care, and other areas critical to ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's economic and workforce development; to attract and retain talented faculty and researchers that bring grant money and contracts to ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø institutions; and to develop research laboratories and academic centers that advance knowledge, provide community outreach services, and spawn entrepreneurship and new business ventures that maintain the state's competitive edge.

For more information on supporting ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's federated campaign, visit the .

 

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu