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University of Idaho Concludes Record Capital Campaign

  • 02/04/15

MOSCOW, ID — Thanks to the generosity of nearly 45,000 donors, the University of Idaho has concluded its Inspiring Futures: Invest in the University of Idaho $225 million capital campaign with gifts and pledges totaling more than $261 million.

The largest comprehensive fundraising effort for any purpose, public or private, in the history of the state, the seven-and-half-year Inspiring Futures campaign provides needed investments for student scholarships, faculty support, facility construction and renovations, and program support.

“Donors to the Inspiring Futures campaign have truly made history,” President Chuck Staben says. “Their investment in the continued excellence of the University of Idaho will help us do more for students, for the discovery of knowledge, and for the support of Idaho’s goals. We couldn’t be more excited or more grateful.”

As funding for higher education has declined within Idaho and nationally over previous decades, many universities are required to seek private philanthropic gifts for continued growth while providing quality education for students. Individuals, corporations and foundations supporting the Inspiring Futures campaign have:

  • Created 153 new scholarship endowments, with gifts for student support totaling $90.4 million.
  • Contributed more than $67.3 million to help attract and retain top-notch professors and researchers through the creation of 20 faculty excellence funds.
  • Supported the construction and renovation of more than a dozen campus facilities, including renovations to the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center (Kibbie Dome), the Haddock Performance Hall in the College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences, the new College of Law building in Boise and the College of Education building.
  • Provided $68.9 million in program support to enrich the student experience and impact areas such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, natural resources and social sciences.

The University of Idaho Foundation, Inc. — a private, nonprofit corporation and separate legal entity from the university — manages philanthropic gifts to the University of Idaho. Established in 1970, the UI Foundation, Inc. invests and disburses private contributions made in support of the university through its endowment. These funds are distributed for the purposes designated by the donors including student scholarships, faculty support, academic and athletic programs, and building construction and improvements.

“Generations of Vandal students from all walks of life and every academic discipline will benefit from the generosity of nearly 45,000 alumni and friends who were inspired to support this campaign and the future of our national research university,” says Rich Allen, campaign co-chair and UI Foundation chairman. “These investments are managed responsibly to maintain the principle and to ensure the best rate of return in support of the donor’s designated area of support.”

About UI
The University of Idaho is one of only 72 land-grant research universities across the country. Home to nearly 12,000 students, the UI is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U-Idaho is home to the Vandals and competes in the Big Sky Conference and Sun Belt Conference. Learn more: www.uidaho.edu.

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