Frequently Asked Campaign Questions

Why is the University in a campaign?

The mission of Campaign UW: Creating Futures is to enhance the ability of faculty, students, and staff to do their best work, and to expand the services the University of Washington provides locally, nationally, and globally.

Especially in the past 20 years, private support has become vital to groundbreaking research, lifesaving medical advances, innovative undergraduate curricula, and to spur economic development, including "spinoff" business enterprises. Countless students have received an extraordinary education at the UW because of private philanthropy. We look to our dedicated friends and volunteers and to future supporters to join with us in advancing the future of the people of the region, nation, and world.

2. When did Campaign UW: Creating Futures start?

Campaign UW: Creating Futures began in July 2000 with a four-year “quiet phase” and will continue in a public phase through June 30, 2008. The Campaign was publicly launched at “Come Together Washington”, a community celebration and open house event held at the Bank of America Arena on October 15, 2004. The event featured a speech from UW President Mark Emmert, the announcement of Campaign UW: Creating Futures by William H. Gates, Sr., a showcase of UW faculty-student projects, interactive video with University faculty and students throughout the world, a keynote address by Bill Gates III, and a reception.

What is the Campaign’s financial goal?

As noted above, Campaign UW: Creating Futures aims to advance the work of the University and its impact. In order to measure our progress, we established a set of benchmarks, including financial goals. During the Campaign planning phase, the UW Foundation Board and Board of Regents set the goal at $2 billion - at the time, an ambitious goal that only a few of the nation's top universities (Harvard, Columbia, Duke, the University of Chicago, the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Southern California) had attempted. The goal was established based on the needs and priorities of the University's schools, colleges, programs, and campuses in support of their outstanding students and faculty. Fully understanding and appreciating the value of these priorities, the University's volunteer and donor community demonstrated extraordinary generosity and the $2 billion milestone was reached on January 26, 2007. After a discussion of remaining opportunities for donor involvement at the University, the Foundation Board voted to increase the goal to $2.5 billion by June 30, 2008, with $50 million for the Students First scholarship and fellowship matching program.

How were Campaign UW priorities determined?

Priorities for Campaign UW: Creating Futures grew out of the vision and strategic goals of the University and its constituent schools and colleges. In November 1999, the Board of Deans held a retreat at which they identified their academic priorities, resources, and needs. In April 2002, the Deans reconvened with Development and Alumni Relations to tailor their priorities and set individual fundraising goals for the Campaign.

Each school, college, and campus is seeking to engage donors and friends in order to attract gifts dedicated to undergraduate scholarship support, graduate fellowship support, faculty support, program support, facility enhancement, and unrestricted funds. A portion of the money raised by the Campaign will be applied to the University's endowment.

The newest priority for Campaign UW: Creating Futures is Students First, an endowed student scholarship matching initiative that provides need-based scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate, graduate and professional students on any of the three UW campuses, providing increased access to qualified students who would otherwise be unable to secure a higher education. Gifts to an endowed Students First fund may be eligible for a 50 percent match from the University.

5. How were the campaign name and theme selected?

Several potential names and messages were created based on internal discussions with UW staff, faculty, deans, and volunteers about what the University of Washington is known for and should be most proud of. These messages and themes were tested with a number of focus groups around the state, and the statement that resonated most with participants was that the University of Washington is vital is to the future of health, education, environment, economy, and cultural life here and around the world. Campaign UW: Creating Futures seeks to honor all who have and will play a role in advancing the future well-being of our community, region, and world.

How can faculty participate in Campaign UW?

Faculty are key to the innovation, ideas, education, and research that lie at the heart of the UW's aspirations. If donors are inspired to give, they do so because they are captivated by the possibilities. No one can articulate those possibilities more forcefully than faculty. Additionally, faculty have a tradition of giving to the UW, often in support of students. Both contributions are critical. In the Campaign, faculty help articulate the UW's most cherished ambitions and by showcasing their work and that of their students, help to personalize the impact of private support.

The Faculty-Staff-Retiree Campaign for Students began in May 2005 to enable faculty, staff, and retirees to establish endowed fellowships and scholarships to support graduate, professional and undergraduate students. With a minimum contribution of $5,000, current or retired faculty and staff can create named endowments that the University will match 1:1 (with a maximum match of $10,000).

CAMPAIGN UW: CREATING FUTURES MILESTONES

Campaign “quiet phase” begins………………………………………………………………July 1, 2000
William H. Gates, Sr. becomes General Campaign Chair………………………………November 2001
Schools and colleges begin to recruit volunteer leadership…………………………….January 2002
Campaign market analysis conducted………………………………………………………….July 2002
Halfway mark reached ($1 billion)…………………………………………………………January 2004
Campaign public launch………………………………………………………………...October 15, 2004
Spring launch weekend………………………………………………………………...April 22-23, 2005
Students First program launched……………………………………………………..November 1, 2006
$2 billion milestone reached.……………………………………………………………January 26, 2007
$2.5 billion goal set………………………………………………………………………January 26, 2007