University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada June 13, 1997

Campaign surpasses 54 per cent mark

$78 million raised and committed to fund-raising campaign

By Michael Robb

It's pretty basic mathematics. University fund raisers have raised $78 million so far and must raise about $66.65 million to meet the five-year campaign goal.

"We are where we expected to be," says Dr. Terry Flannigan, associate vice-president (external affairs). "By late September we're projecting we'll be at the $100 million mark."

The University expects to raise $60.4 million for scholarships, bursaries and learning environment, $49.95 million for chairs, professorships and startup projects, and $34.3 million for facilities.

"There have been no major surprises," says Flannigan. "We're very focused on asks, and the gifts are coming in where we expected them to come in." Financial institutions have been asked to donate to the campaign, the oil and gas sector and the pharmaceutical industry are about to be asked. Paper and pulp is on hold, given the state of the industry right now, he explained.

Flannigan expects a major part of the funding for the University's capital needs will come from government sources. He applauded the federal government's recent decision to establish the Canada Foundation for Innovation, which will provide financial support for the modernization of research infrastructure at Canadian post-secondary institutions and research hospitals. "The U of A will aggressively pursue funding from the Foundation to fund projects. Our institution is already putting a list together."

The Foundation is designed to kick-start private sector investment in post-secondary education infrastructure. Contributions by the Foundation are expected to average 40 per cent of total costs, but in no case exceed 50 per cent.

While the money continues to roll in, something equally important is happening. Flannigan says in the past the University didn't do a good job of continuing communication with donors. Now, however, the campaign team is putting much more work in that area - thanking donors, letting them know how their money is being used and keeping them informed about developments at the University.

"When this campaign is completed, we will have changed the philanthropic culture of the University and its friends," he said. "We will continue to increase donors' involvement with the University."

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