The University of Idaho’s largest fundraising campaign in its history goes public this week with several high-profile events on campus.
UI President M. Duane Nellis said he predicts a $4 million gap between what the university needs and what it will get next year. Fundraising efforts may help close that gap, according to Nellis.
The “Inspiring Futures” fundraising campaign celebration week culminates in a dinner and auction Saturday evening in the Kibbie Dome.
Diane Gregg, director of donor relations, said coordinators worked all week to convert the Kibbie Dome floor into an event space. Attendance at Saturday’s campaign celebrations costs $150.
The seven-year fundraising campaign has been running for four years, according to Chris Murray, vice president for advancement. It will end in 2014, the university’s 125th anniversary.
Murray said the university hopes to raise $225 million.
Fundraising campaigns of this type usually open with a quiet period, when friends of the university are invited to donate, Murray said.
Murray said this week starts the public portion of the campaign, when the university seeks donations from anyone.
“It’s a comprehensive, university-wide campaign,” Murray said.
Since it began in 2007, the “Inspiring Futures” campaign has raised $161.8 million from more than 28,000 donors. Money goes toward student scholarships, attracting and retaining faculty, programs like the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and maintaining facilities, Murray said.
He said the university seeks to construct a new building for the first time in 10 years, and this fundraising campaign will help.
Murray said donations from the campaign’s quiet period paid entirely for the Kibbie Dome renovation.
Part of the fundraising efforts go through Vandal Connect, an organization that calls alumni, family and friends of the university to ask for donations.
Vandal Connect has raised more than $2 million in the last two years for the university, said Jessica Billings, director of Vandal Connect.
The campaign’s public opening features several on-campus events Friday and Saturday.
Gregg said 230 volunteers will help guide campus tours and open houses. There will also be special lectures and speakers.
A donor wall will be unveiled in the Administration Building Foyer Friday afternoon, listing individuals and groups who have donated between $100,000 and $1 million.
University Communications and Marketing produced a number of videos to be shown during the festivities, Gregg said.
Kasen Christensen can be reached at [email protected]