Despite low state budget, Creating Futures campaign thriving

After a record-breaking year, the Creating Futures Campaign is proving to be a tremendous success for the University of Colorado.

As of October 2011, the campaign—a fundraising effort that aims to improve campus technology and fund research projects—had raised $1.08 billion dollars, and expects to soon reach its final goal of $1.5 billion, according to the University of Colorado Foundation website.

The Creating Futures Campaign has raised $1.08 billion as of October 2011. The campaign started in in 2006 with a goal of $1.5 billion. (CU Independent Illustration/Lauren Walter)

The campaign was announced on April 25, 2006 in response to decreases in state funding that threatened the financial stability of the CU campuses. According to the foundation website, all of the money that has been raised thus far has come from private gifts and donations that are given to the CU Foundation, the Office of Contracts and Grants and directly to the university.

CU Vice President of Communications Ken McConnellogue referred to the campaign’s areas of focus as “the four pillars.”

“[They represent] the fundamental things that are happening at CU,” McConnellogue said.

According to the campaign’s website, the areas the pillars target are Learning and Teaching, Discovery and Innovation, Community and Culture, and Health and Wellness. No donations were made exclusively to any of the four pillars, instead the money that has been received is distributed evenly among them and set aside for technological advancements, separate schools and program funding.

“Ideas emanating from CU—in areas ranging from energy to health care to public affairs—will be integral to overcoming some of the greatest challenges of our time,” according to an official statement from the University of Colorado Foundation, which oversees the campaign. “A comprehensive campaign helps CU crystallize its strategic priorities and make a public case for the importance of its work.”

The success of Creating Futures is notable considering its fundraising has been spread out over the course of almost six years.

“When you have a multi-year campaign, it becomes hard to keep up momentum,” McConnellogue said. “I think that hitting a milestone has increased attention.”

When the $1.5 billion goal is reached, the Creating Futures Campaign will become the most ambitious fundraising effort in CU history, McConnellogue said.

According to the Creating Futures Ezine Brochure — available on the campaign’s official website — money from the campaign has gone toward the construction of the C4C and the Visual Arts Complex, and the establishment of residential academic programs (RAPs) within the residence halls. Future initiatives include further expanding scholarships and financial aid opportunities for current and incoming students.

Hayley Gocha, an 18-year-old freshman English and theatre major, is enrolled in one of the theatre and dance performances which have been financially supported by the Creating Futures campaign.

“I’ve heard that [the campaign] has done a lot for our school,” Gocha said. “I’d like to hear more of that.”

With support from private donors, the campaign has had a promising start to the New Year. McConnellogue said he is hopeful about its future.

“I think we’ll see continued success in passing the billion-dollar mark,” McConnellogue said. “Private investment increases as state funding lowers.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Bethany Morris at [email protected]