We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. --- On March 14, 2014, Northwestern University publicly announced “We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern,” a $3.75 billion University-wide fundraising effort to help realize the transformational vision set forth in Northwestern’s strategic plan and to solidify the University’s position among the world’s leading research universities.

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN?

Two years in the making, encompassing three campuses and engaging students, trustees, staff and faculty, the University’s strategic plan is our road map for the future. It is titled “Northwestern Will,” because we are resolved to achieve these goals. The plan’s foundation rests on Northwestern’s distinctive assets: our entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit; interdisciplinary collaboration; an energetic community of students, scholars and alumni; a dual passion for research and teaching, and an intense desire to put ideas into practice for the greater good. We now have an opportunity to use these considerable strengths to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges and educate the extraordinary leaders of the future.

WHAT ARE THE CAMPAIGN GOALS?

This multiyear initiative has two goals:

• Raise $3.75 billion in philanthropic investments across all of our schools and units to fund the strategic plan initiatives.
• Broaden the University’s base of annual support among alumni, parents and friends -- as reflected by 140,995 donors making gifts during the Campaign.

WHAT ARE THE CAMPAIGN TOTALS TO DATE?

As of March 2014, the University has already raised $1.52 billion toward the campaign goal. In addition, a total of 85,832 donors have made gifts.

HOW DO THESE GOALS COMPARE TO PAST CAMPAIGNS?

We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern is by far the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history. The dollar goal is more than twice the $1.55 billion received during the University’s last major fundraising effort, which took place from 1996 to 2003. That campaign, which was called “Campaign Northwestern,” surpassed its original goal of $1 billion.

WHAT ARE THE CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES?

The Campaign has four main priorities, each stemming from the strategic plan:

Discovery and Creativity We will explore new knowledge, invent new forms of creative expression and find new solutions by connecting fields as different on the surface as medicine, engineering and design; law and journalism; business and social justice policies, and music and computer technology. Northwestern’s research enterprise and creative platforms will expand by investing in facilities for biomedical research, innovation and entrepreneurship, performance and collaborative learning. To lead these initiatives, we will attract additional renowned scholars and rising stars to our esteemed faculty.

Student Experience We will make a Northwestern education more accessible to the very best students regardless of their financial resources. We will broaden students’ academic perspectives. Through real-world learning, students are nurtured to be the global leaders of tomorrow.

Campus and Community We will build a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community on our campuses. We will encourage all Northwestern alumni, students, parents, faculty and friends to unite as a community, engage fully in the life of this remarkable University and help shape its future.

Global Connections We will bring Northwestern to the world through investments in our research enterprise, locations and partnerships abroad. We will bring the world to Northwestern by cultivating a diverse international community of students and faculty and through curricula that advance understanding of other languages, cultures and systems.

WHAT SCHOOLS AND UNITS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN?

This is a comprehensive, University-wide Campaign on all three main campuses in Evanston, Chicago and Doha, Qatar. All 12 of Northwestern’s schools are included, along with Athletics and Recreation, scholarships, student life, the University Library, the Block Museum of Art and the interdisciplinary research centers.

WHO ARE THE CAMPAIGN LEADERS?

The Comprehensive Campaign Steering Committee is led by eight co-chairs, including Neil Bluhm, Chris and Courtney Combe, Adam Karr, Lanny and Sharon Martin, and Patrick and Shirley Welsh Ryan.