VCU news

By Emma Coates
Development and Alumni Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University has raised $700 million toward its $750 million goal in the Make It Real Campaign for VCU, the university announced today.

The campaign, which began with a quiet phase in July 2012 and launched publicly in September 2016, is the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. It counts all funds raised through June 30, 2020.

Gifts to the Make It Real Campaign for VCU support critical university initiatives and growth in three areas: people, innovations and environments.

“We set an ambitious goal when we launched the Make It Real Campaign for VCU,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. “That we are so close now to realizing that goal is testament to the belief of the community in our mission to transform lives, ignite important discoveries and fuel economic development, as well as to the incredible efforts of our development staff. I am so grateful to our alumni and friends for their support.”

So far in the campaign, donors have established 298 endowed scholarships and student support funds, 57 endowed professorships and chairs, and 81 endowed faculty support and research funds. They have also supported a number of new buildings, including the Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, the Inger Rice Lodge at the Rice Rivers Center and the VCU College of Health Professions.

In the first half of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, new gifts and pledges totaling $50.5 million have been counted toward the campaign. The number of donors in the same period increased by 16.1 percent from 16,603 to 19,282 compared to the first half of the previous fiscal year

In addition, 17 out of 19 schools, colleges and units have raised more than 70 percent of their individual campaign fundraising goals, and 11 have raised more than 80 percent to date. Five already have exceeded their campaign goals: the schools of Education and Social Work, VCU Life Sciences, and the colleges of Engineering and Health Professions.

“It has been an outstanding start to the fiscal year,” said Jay E. Davenport, vice president of development and alumni relations. “December was particularly strong, with more than $26 million raised in one month. It’s a great sign that as we reach our $750 million goal, our momentum keeps growing.”

For more information about the Make It Real Campaign for VCU, visit campaign.vcu.edu.