George Washington University Board of Trustees Chair Nelson Carbonell and President Steven Knapp announced Friday at the Senior Class Toast that Making History: The Campaign for GW has surpassed its $1 billion fundraising goal more than a year ahead of schedule.
“Thanks to your generosity and the contributions of more than 65,000 donors, I am pleased to announce that the Making History campaign has surpassed the $1 billion milestone,” said Mr. Carbonell, B.S. ’85.
The contributions from the more than 65,000 donors—including 41,000 alumni and more than 1,000 seniors—during the campaign have helped to support students, enhance academics and break new ground at the university.
“We make history through you,” Dr. Knapp said. “It is you going out into the world that is going to be the way the university makes history into and beyond the foreseeable future.”
The Making History campaign will officially end, one year early, on June 30. Alumni, parents, students and friends of the university who make a gift prior to June 30 will have it count toward the Making History campaign and will add their names to the campaign donor rolls.
“In my role as campaign chair, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals across the GW community who understand the importance of education and the role that GW plays in changing lives,” said B.J. Penn, M.S. ’80, who has served as the Making History campaign chair. “This university changed my life and I am proud of how many people have participated in the campaign. I want to thank our committed donors and dedicated volunteers who are making it possible for students to achieve their dreams, and for GW to make history.”
The Making History campaign has realized significant accomplishments around each of its three pillars: support students, enhance academics and break new ground. For example, during the campaign:
- More than 18,000 donors have given to Power & Promise student aid, providing more than $144 million in new funds for undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships.
- More than 20 new endowed faculty positions have been created to provide significant resources to recruit, support and retain the best faculty across a variety of disciplines.
- Academic and research facilities, including Science and Engineering Hall, the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum and the Milken Institute School of Public Health building have been developed and enhanced thanks to philanthropy.
“We thank our tens of thousands of supporters for their ongoing generosity and look forward to continuing to work together to help shape the future of the university through philanthropy,” said Matthew R. Manfra, interim vice president for development and alumni relations. “Though the Making History campaign will end this June, the need for philanthropic support for GW students, faculty, research and programs remains."
GW will release a final Making History campaign impact report online this summer.
