Since its early days as The Free Academy, The City University of New York has maintained a unique promise to New Yorkers: to offer the highest quality education possible, and to provide opportunities for all those who strive for social, educational, and economic advancement. That promise was affirmed in 2000, when a system-wide review led to a sweeping transformation of academic programs and administrative procedures. Now, to ensure that it can continue to deliver on that promise and pursue its dynamic and far-reaching renewal, CUNY has undertaken a groundbreaking University-wide fundraising campaign. Launched in November 2004, the Invest in CUNY Campaign has set a goal of raising $1.2 billion in investments from private sources by 2012, making it the most ambitious fundraising initiative ever undertaken by a public, urban university.
As of July 2007, Invest in CUNY is well on its way to exceeding this ambitious target, with more than $1 billion raised. This unprecedented level of private support comes from a wide array of sources, including alumni, friends, and the business and philanthropic communities. The University has received over 400 leadership gifts, accounting for 52% of the total raised so far. Notable for their extraordinary generosity are the contributions of William and Anita Newman ($39.5 million to Baruch College), William E. Macaulay ($30 million to the Macaulay Honors College), and Andrew Grove ($26 million to City College).
The Invest in CUNY Campaign is a comprehensive effort that encompasses separate fundraising initiatives at each of the 23 CUNY institutions. These initiatives have already had a significant impact in five key areas:
- Student Support, helping to attract and retain an academically strong, diverse student population and training the leaders of tomorrow;
- Faculty Support, enabling the university to attract and retain top scholars as full time faculty;
- Research and Innovation, fostering an environment in which new work is recognized and promoted and which utilizes the latest technologies;
- Facilities and Equipment, renovating our buildings and equipping new scientific facilities and classrooms; and
- Community Partnerships, increasing interaction with the city’s communities and enhancing economic and workforce development initiatives.
The City University invites distinguished alumni, friends and supporters, the business and philanthropic community, and others committed to the future of this great city to join us in this historic enterprise. On these pages you will find news of the Invest in CUNY Campaign and information on how to contact the CUNY college of your choice to discuss how you can get involved. We look forward to your joining our efforts as we move The City University of New York into the 21st century, with all of its exciting prospects for innovation, growth, and leadership.
