History-Making Total Will Be Announced Feb. 17
At midnight on Dec. 31, Emporia State University’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Together, Forward, officially ended. Gifts postmarked on or before Dec. 31 are still arriving, but the university can already report this has been the largest, most successful fundraising campaign in ESU history.
The campaign surpassed its $75 million goal, and the final total will be publicly announced on Feb. 17, in conjunction with a celebration event for donors to the campaign.
The Together, Forward campaign first began on Jan. 1, 2017, in a silent phase, and launched publicly in February 2021. The initial fundraising goal was $50 million. That goal was reached by Homecoming of 2021, at which time the stretch goal of $75 million was announced.
“When we launched this campaign, I knew Hornet Nation would show up to support it, but it has exceeded my wildest expectations,” said Shane Shivley, president/CEO of Emporia State University Foundation. “This support changes lives. For some, it is the difference between being able to attend college or not. For all, it means opportunities and experiences that will prepare them for the world. The university and our students are more grateful than words can express.”
Although donations to any area of Emporia State counted toward the campaign total, the pillars of the Together, Forward campaign focused on raising funds for scholarships — including talent-based awards for programs such as art, music, theatre and athletics — and expanding opportunities for students to have hands-on and real-world learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. The campaign also focused on raising money for key facilities and initiatives like the new Nursing + Student Wellness Center which is scheduled to begin construction this spring.
The campaign closed having received over 64,000 gifts from more than 12,700 donors. These donations have been given to support the educational experience of both current and future students at ESU.