$35 MILLION AND COUNTING

UWF exceeds Creating Great Futures Fundraising Campaign Goal Ahead of Schedule

Last September, the University of West Florida publicly launched its largest ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, Creating Great Futures, and announced its goal to raise $35 million by Dec. 31, 2010. Thanks to the generosity of UWF’s alumni and friends, that goal has been surpassed. As of Dec. 1, 2008, $35.5 million has been raised to help support scholarships, facilities and programs. UWF will continue to raise funds for university priorities, including need-based endowed scholarships and first-generation scholarships, as well as the development of the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.

“We have reached a milestone in our university’s 41-year history,” said UWF President Judy Bense. “This tremendous support illustrates that our community values the benefits that a university education offers.”

The campaign began Jul. 1, 2004 and will continue until Dec. 31, 2010. Major impact to date includes 31 new endowment funds in the UWF Foundation, 44 gift commitments of $100,000 or greater and six gift commitments of $1 million or greater. To date, there are more than 14,000 campaign donors.

“Indeed, the impact of this campaign will create great futures for thousands of UWF students for years to come,” said Bense. “We couldn’t be more grateful!”  

Last year, 38-percent of UWF faculty and staff contributed to the campaign.

“The fact that UWF’s own faculty and staff support this campaign is testament that it is a worthy endeavor,” said UWF Foundation Board President Dave Cleveland. “In fact, a UWF professor contributed one of the largest campaign gifts, which will support merit-based scholarships for College of Business students.”

To learn more about the Creating Great Futures Campaign or to make a gift, please visit uwf.edu/greatfutures or contact Campaign Manager Lauren Smith at lsmith2@uwf.edu or (850) 474-3096.