October 2, 2003

Campaign Northwestern soars past $1.5B

Gifts from more than 100,000 contributors help reshape University

Powered by more than 100,000 contributors, Northwestern’s fundraising campaign raised a total of more than $1.5 billion, campaign leaders announced today.

“When the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center (under construction in photo) is complete, we will be able to increase significantly the amount of important medical research we can undertake,” President Bienen said.

Campaign Northwestern, which was announced in May 1998 and concluded Aug. 31 of this year, raised a total of $1,550,878,506 in gifts and commitments, far surpassing the original goal of $1 billion and a revised goal of $1.4 billion set two years ago.

The total amount will be reported to the University Board of Trustees today.

“The gifts the University received during the course of this campaign demonstrate the remarkable support that alumni and other friends of Northwestern provide for this institution and their belief in its goals and mission,” said Donald S. Perkins, campaign co-chair and a member of Northwestern’s board of trustees.

Northwestern is one of only 27 universities in the country that has raised more than $1 billion in a fundraising campaign.

“The gifts that we received are reshaping the University,” said Northwestern President Henry S. Bienen.

“Northwestern today is a better place than it was seven years ago in many ways, thanks to the gifts we received.”

“I particularly want to recognize the support we received from our Board of Trustees,” Bienen added. “Gifts and commitments from members of the Board totaled $266.7 million and 100 percent of our Board members contributed to the campaign. Northwestern is indeed fortunate to have such dedicated and supportive leadership.”

The campaign literally changed the face of Northwestern’s campuses in Evanston and Chicago, with the construction, renovation or expansion of 18 buildings. “These new facilities already have enabled Northwestern to provide improved residential and academic settings for our students, and when the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center is complete, we will be able to increase significantly the amount of important medical research we can undertake,” Bienen said.

The campaign also has created 101 new undergraduate scholarships, 52 professional scholarships and 33 graduate fellowships, which provide needed financial assistance to students.

“When I talk to fellow alumni, one of the key things that interests them in giving to Northwestern is providing scholarships for students,” said Thomas Z. Hayward Jr., campaign co-chair and an undergraduate and law school alumnus of Northwestern. “Many alums received financial assistance when they were students, and when those alums are able to give something back to the University, helping current students is a high priority.”

In addition, 37 new endowed professorships have been created as the result of gifts to the campaign.

Campaign North-western’s original goals were $360 million for endowment, $262 million for facilities and $378 million in annual operating support. Gifts and commitments at the end of the campaign totaled $594 million for endowment, $325 million for facilities and $609 million in operating support.

Another $22 million was raised, but has not yet been designated to a particular area.