For All We Call Mizzou Campaign Surpasses $1 Billion Goal

Nov. 7, 2008

Story Contact:  Emily Smith, 573-882-3346, Smithea@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton announced today that the For All We Call Mizzou campaign goal has been achieved, making MU the first and only public university in Missouri to raise $1 billion. MU is among only 20 public universities in the nation to succeed in accomplishing this goal. Since the campaign began in 2000, alumni, friends, corporations and foundations have given $1,000,300,000 to the statess flagship university to fund scholarships, faculty, programs and facilities.

"This major accomplishment is a testament to the faith our loyal alumni and friends have in the University of Missouri,” Deaton said. “ Especially during these difficult economic times, our donors realize that investing in the university is a sound investment, ensuring that for generations to come MU will continue to excel in educating the state's and nation's students while solving problems that affect our health and environment. Today we celebrate that trust and pledge to our donors that we will responsibly use their gifts to lead the university to even greater successes in the future."

The silent phase of the For All We Call Mizzou campaign was launched in January 2000 with a goal of $600 million. When the campaign formally was announced to the public in September 2003, MU had secured more than $300 million in gifts and pledges. In less than five years, donations surpassed the $600 million goal. The campaign helped generate increased interest in giving to Mizzou and it was decided to continue with a new goal of $1 billion. In the three years since the $1 billion goal was announced, donors have come forward with gifts that truly set the University of Missouri apart from other public universities.

Recent gifts received that helped MU reach this goal include a $4.6 million gift from Robert and Sue Weiser to the Department of Geological Sciences in the MU College of Arts and Science. From the donation, 75 percent will support research, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students in the department; 25 percent will fund scholarships for Hermann High School graduates that attend MU. A $2 million gift from Harry and Ann Cornell will provide resources to expand the Cornell Leadership Program in the Trulaske College of Business. Longtime friends of the university, Ira and Gail Hubbell, pledged $1.5 million of their estate to the university.

"When I first heard the goal, I thought it was very ambitious and would be a challenge to obtain such a large amount of private support," said Harry Cornell. "However, with the hard work of many volunteers, MU faculty and staff, and the generosity of many alumni and friends of MU, the campaign has topped the $1 billion goal. That's remarkable, and it's also wonderful because the funds will be used to support students and faculty as well as other activities related to the mission of Missouri's flagship university."

Gifts to the campaign in the past eight years have made a significant impact.

• 1,500 more scholarships" Contributions of $210 million have allowed MU to fund an additional 1,500 merit and need-based scholarships.

• 86 new endowed faculty positions" Donors have contributed $79 million to help create 86 new endowed faculty positions.

• Enhanced programs and facilities: The campaign has raised $448 million to enhance programs and facilities.

• More private research funding: The University has received $233 million in grants administered by the Office of Sponsored Programs during the campaign. MU’s faculty researchers are working to solve many of society’s problems including curing diseases and searching for alternative fuels.

The $1 billion campaign total includes gifts from alumni, corporations, foundations, friends, grants, organizations and students. The majority of donors to the campaign are individuals.

Donor Group Total Gifts

Alumni                      $371,149,077.82

Friends (non-alumni) $173,016,530.82

Corporations            $136,381,189.12

Foundations              $63,679,010.74

Grants                      $233,420,501.75

Organizations            $14,316,794.31

Faculty/staff/retirees  $8,359,185.92

Total                        $1,000,322,290.48 

            For more information about the For All We Call Mizzou campaign and recent gifts, visit http://formizzou.missouri.edu/.

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