UF Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal And Expectations At $759 Million

August 7, 2000

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It has been a fund-raising campaign with a full head of steam since it went public in 1997. Now, the University of Florida’s five-year capital campaign has exceeded its expanded goal with a current total of $759.3 million in gifts and commitments.

The “It’s Performance That Counts” capital campaign, which is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2000, announced its original goal of $500 million in 1996, then raised it to $750 million in 1998.

“I was convinced early in my tenure at the University of Florida that this campaign had significant momentum and potential to exceed its goal of $750 million,” said Charles Young, interim president of the University of Florida. “In addition to its loyal alumni and friends, this university has national visibility and it has attracted support from many corporations and foundations that want to be involved with the quality of research and teaching found here.”

The $500 million goal was surpassed in the spring of 1999. In just over a year, the campaign has accelerated at an unprecedented rate, according to Paul Robell, vice president for development and alumni affairs for the University of Florida.

“We’ve always been optimistic about reaching our goal,” said Robell, “but were never certain it could be attained, until now.”

Although the $750 million goal has been achieved, the campaign will continue through the end of the calendar year with several very important objectives still to be met.

Three new initiatives that were identified during the course of the campaign remain a focus for funding. These areas include the Genetics Institute, graduate fellowships, and technology enhancement and support. The three initiatives in some way involve all 23 colleges and units at UF.

In addition, UF’s library system has been of particular interest to Young. “In simplest terms, strong library systems equate to strong universities,” he said. “There is an undeniable need for UF’s libraries to expand and to renovate its facilities, to bolster its collections and to build its endowment.”

“We will continue to actively raise funds for the university through the remaining months of this campaign, and beyond,” said Robell. “There are numerous unmet and ongoing needs and many, many donors interested in and willing to invest in UF’s quality and success.”

The University of Florida is in the final year of a five-year capital campaign. The “It’s Performance That Counts” campaign seeks private gifts for UF scholarships, faculty positions, facilities and technological enhancements to help the university produce top-quality performance in teaching and research. As of July 31, the campaign had raised than $759.3 million in private commitments and state matching support for the university.