Fundraising:
Ambitious campaign focuses on human and intellectual infrastructure
In October 2010, the University launched Ascend: The Campaign for the University of Denver. The kickoff marked the beginning of the public phase of the campaign, which followed a four-year silent phase that raised $250 million and broke all previous University fundraising records. Ascend is focused on strengthening DU’s people and programs, garnering funds for scholarships, endowed faculty funds, the Academic Commons at Penrose Library, and key programs and facilities. The campaign will culminate in 2014, when DU celebrates its 150th anniversary.
In the last year, University Advancement launched several initiatives in support of the campaign. New gift-matching programs provide opportunities for donors to double the impact of their gifts to endowed scholarships. The Board of Trustees set aside $35 million of DU’s strategic reserves for this purpose, recognizing that an investment in students through scholarships will have a lasting impact on their lives and on our communities.
Another matching opportunity involves gifts to the performing arts. The University has committed $5 million to match new gifts of $10,000 or more to the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, the Lamont School of Music and the Department of Theatre.
In early 2011, Scott Lumpkin (BS ’79, MBA ’88) became vice chancellor of University Advancement. His predecessor, Ed Harris, transitioned to the role of special assistant to the chancellor.
Under Lumpkin’s leadership, University Advancement has planned and implemented new strategies to help donors feel increasingly appreciated and connected. The Office of Donor Relations & Stewardship has developed a new approach for recognizing and engaging donors. Bolstered by sustainable stewardship principles, the signature element of this approach is a suite of newly revitalized giving societies, to be introduced in October 2011 at the Chancellor’s Celebration.
Advancement’s Office of Annual Giving also developed a new plan for engaging donors, seeking to build a stronger base of support from DU’s many constituencies—alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff. One element of annual giving’s new initiatives is a student call center, which has helped to raise funds for the $33 million Academic Commons at Penrose Library and other University priorities.
“We are working to build a culture of philanthropy, helping the entire DU community to have a sense of ownership of DU’s present and future,” Lumpkin said. “Investments in DU’s people and programs today will have untold impact on the future students of this University—their understanding of the world and their ability to act on that understanding for the betterment of humanity.”
Support for endowed funds
As of June 30, 2011, the Ascend campaign had raised substantial sums for endowed scholarships, professorships and chairs.- Number of scholarships established since beginning of campaign: 94 current use, 138 endowed
- Amount given to scholarships since beginning of campaign: $80,692,866
- Number of endowed chairs and professorships established: 13
- Amount given to endowed faculty chairs, professorships: $32,205,036
- Campaign total: $285,117,590
