Higher Education Campaign Success

U of O Campaign Success

Since I live in Oregon, it was fun to see the success of one of our state universities, the University of Oregon. Their success story is a prime case history of a successful comprehensive higher education capital campaign. Here are the facts:

• $853 million raised, far surpassing the $600 million goal


• Started 1/1/01, concluded 12/31/08 (many university campaigns take 5 to 8 years to complete)


• The campaign was comprehensive – "Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives” raised $99.8 million for student scholarships and fellowships, $106.1 million for faculty support, $186.1 million for academic and program support, and $138.2 million for improving academic campus facilities


• Student support: private gifts more than doubled funds available for UO scholarships


• Faculty support: Campaign gifts funded 35 new endowed chairs and professorships and the Fund for Faculty Excellence Awards, carrying annual salary supplements of $3,000 to $16,000 a year, have been awarded to 52 faculty members to date


• The sciences: About $55 million, part of a larger gift from philanthropist Lorry I. Lokey, includes $30 million for faculty support, $10 million for graduate student support and $10 million for program support


• New facilities: Campaign gifts helped fund more than $250 million worth of new and improved academic facilities, including two new science buildings; a new business complex; and renovation and expansion of the music, education and theater facilities, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Athletic facility improvements include the Autzen Stadium renovation and expansion, Hayward Field improvements, PK Park baseball stadium and the Matthew Knight Arena


• Programs: Campaign donors financed a new journalism center in Portland, new programs in securities analysis and product design, and increased endowments for Special Collections in UO Libraries and the Oregon Bach Festival

All types of nonprofit organizations should model their campaigns on this comprehensive pattern. And, take the time for your campaign to mature and develop. Count everything, be broad in your thinking, and work with donors to develop projects they consider a Winning Gift.

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