In late 2009, the University of South Florida formally announced its USF: Unstoppable Campaign, with a goal to raise $600 million dollars to fund the future needs of the school. Earlier this year, USF System President Judy Genshaft announced that the goal was surpassed with over $621 million raised.
Now, the school has moved the target out further, with an aim of raising one billion dollars. The effort to raise another $400 million or so over the next five years will be led by co-chairs Gordon Gillette, President of Tampa Electric & Peoples Gas, and Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In the formal announcement of the new goal, Genshaft said the next Unstoppable phase will build upon the success of the first one.
“We are dedicated to continuing this campaign because we have seen first-hand the tremendous positive impact it has had for our students and faculty throughout the USF System,” said President Genshaft. “Each of our institutions is stronger today because of this campaign. It is unusual for a public institution founded since the 1900's to have a $1 billion campaign. Thanks to our great alumni and community supporters, we are unstoppable.”
USF Foundation CEO Joel Momberg added that the focus will remain on the University's priorities.
“During the next half-decade, we will focus on creating new student scholarships, research and teaching support for our outstanding faculty, and enhancing the academic experience for all,” said Momberg. “USF Health will focus on areas of strength, including cardiovascular treatment and research. For USF Athletics, the second phase will provide an opportunity to build on the successes of the first phase and create more scholarship funding for our wonderful student-athletes.”
A thank you note sent by Momberg to donors this week said that almost 144-thousand donors had contributed about $621.4 million. The note also showed how some of those funds have already been distributed:
- over $79 million in new scholarship funding;
- almost $35 million for faculty chairs and professorships;
- over $41 million to USF Athletics;
- almost $175 million to USF Health.
As part of the USF System, WUSF Public Media is responsible for raising a portion of the USF: Unstoppable Campaign funds.
http://youtu.be/-GeOowCDuDE
