The Campaign for Drexel Passes $500 Million Milestone

Last November, Drexel University publicly launched its most ambitious fundraising campaign ever, with the intent of raising $750 million to promote student success, pioneer new methods in teaching and learning, fuel multidisciplinary discovery and innovation, enhance facilities and public spaces, and deepen civic engagement. That Campaign, which has the theme “The Future Is a Place We Make” to reflect Drexel’s unique hands-on, application-driven approach to higher education, recently announced that it reached the $500 million milestone. With a total of $500.4 million, the Campaign is two-thirds of the way toward its $750 million goal.

“Reaching this milestone in the Campaign tells us that our alumni, parents, friends, faculty and professional staff have strong confidence in Drexel as a place worthy of significant investment,” said John Fry, Drexel’s president. “They believe in our ability to use their philanthropic support wisely to tackle complex societal and scientific problems, to provide a dynamic, experiential education for students, and to attract and retain world-class faculty.”

Since the Campaign’s foundational quiet phase began on Dec. 1, 2013, approximately 19,500 alumni have engaged with Drexel by attending events, volunteering or donating.

This includes the naming gifts that transformed the Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law, which are two of the largest gifts in Drexel history. Other notable leadership gifts include the Wellcome Trust’s funding of a Dornsife School-led study on the impact on population health of governance, design, organization and environment in Latin American cities; the establishment of the Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships and the creation of an endowment for the Nina Henderson Provost at Drexel University.

“Already, the Campaign has fueled the creation of over 150 endowed scholarships and more than eight endowed professorships, and there will be many more,” said Richard A. Greenawalt ’66, chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees and one of four campaign co-chairs. “Of course, transformational gifts from Tom Kline and Dana and David Dornsife were instrumental in building our early momentum. Leadership from our Trustees has catalyzed further investments in our faculty and students, as well as civic engagement and important capital projects.”

Also notable is the fact that for the fourth consecutive year, Drexel has raised more than $100 million. The Campaign total includes more than $77 million in scholarship support to increase opportunities by providing scholarships and co-op stipends for students. The Campaign’s funding priorities also include expanding Drexel’s interdisciplinary research and maximizing the University’s social impact through innovative community partnerships.

The Campaign for Drexel aims to better position the University to nurture talent and opportunities that can creatively address emerging societal needs and Drexel’s own growth. It is also designed to strengthen the bonds between Drexel’s alumni and their alma mater.

“We’re making great strides in alumni engagement, which continues to expand and deepen – especially among recent graduates,” said Greenawalt. “We see the results in recent Homecoming and Alumni Weekend attendance as well as Global Night of Networking participation.”

Though the Campaign is projected to conclude on June 30, 2021, it has already surpassed the total of the University’s previous campaign record, which was the “Dream It. Do It” campaign that raised $455 million, $55 million more than its original goal, as of December 2013.

“Drexel’s loyal supporters understand that philanthropy keeps us competitive for the best talent through scholarships and professorships,” said Fry. “It fuels innovation. It accelerates our impact and it makes us nimble and resilient — able to address urgent challenges and develop active solutions.”

You can explore stories of impact, learn about the Campaign’s vision and funding priorities and discover many ways to give at future.drexel.edu.