$50M Campaign Enters Public Phase
The Campaign for Africa University—a four-year effort to raise $50 million for endowment and capital projects—was unveiled to the public on September 12. The announcement of the public phase of the campaign was made in Cleveland, OH at a banquet celebrating the contributions on longtime Africa University supporter and board member, Dr. Maggie Jackson.
“We will be successful in this campaign for Africa University because the funds are needed to sustain our move toward greater distinction. We will be successful because Africa and the world need the graduates from Africa University, and we will be successful because we United Methodists have come to love and be proud of our Africa University,” said Dr. Aubrey Lucas, chair of the campaign.
More than $26.2 million has already been raised in cash and pledges. A significant portion of the funds already raised for the campaign has come from United Methodist annual conferences. The Mississippi Conference raised nearly $1.4 million for scholarship endowments. Illinois Great Rivers raised $1 million for scholarship endowments, and the Indiana Conference has raised $1.3 million of a $1.6 million campaign for an endowed chair and scholarships for agriculture.
The Louisiana Conference has raised $454,000 toward a $1 million campaign for scholarships, and the Upper New York Conference has received more than $400,000 toward a $1 million scholarship endowment fund.
As the campaign enters the public phase, donations will be sought from major individual contributors. The campaign plans call for about $12 million to be raised through planned giving, such as legacy donors.
The campaign aims to increase Africa University’s endowment to $100 million in order to provide ongoing funding for scholarships, expert faculty, research and innovative new programs. A portion of the campaign receipts will also fund capital development, including upgrades to the university’s teaching and research facilities and technology. For more on the campaign, visit www.support-africauniversity.org.
Adapted from reporting by Vicki Brown, news editor at the United Methodist News Service (UMNS), and Rick Wolcott, director of communications in the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.