Florida Gulf Coast University officials recently announced that the school has met and exceeded a $100 million fundraising goal. The announcement comes as FGCU prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The fundraising campaign began in 2014. The money will support several initiatives including increased student access, scholarships, athletics and impact on the broader Southwest Florida community. FGCU actually reached $100 million in July 2016, but officials did not announce that the goal had been surpassed until late last month at a ceremony recognizing an historic $10 million gift to the school from health sciences educator and textbook author Dr. Elaine Marieb. David Holms is chair of the FGCU Foundation’s development committee:
“As we gather here today, the campaign has generated $122 million dollars for Florida Gulf Coast University,” said Chair of the FGCU Foundation’s Development Committee David Holms at the event on Feb. 24. “And we still have four months to go. That is the FGCU effect.”
Fundraising for a younger school like FGCU can be more challenging than for longer-established schools in the state University system that have a larger pool of alumni from which to draw financial support. For example, the University of Florida’s endowment fund stands at $1.5 billion.
The FGCU fundraising campaign continues through the end of June when Wilson Bradshaw steps down as President. He’ll be succeeded by Michael Martin who was unanimously approved by the FGCU Board of Trustees late last month. FGCU will celebrate the successful fundraising campaign, President Bradshaw’s tenure and the school’s 20th anniversary April 8 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples.
