‘We Believe’ initiative aims to reach $300 million by 2020
The final point tallies weren’t the only numbers being discussed from last night’s Battle of the Boulevard basketball game between cross-town rivals Belmont and Lipscomb. Instead, the crowd was abuzz about a major announcement made during the first media timeout when Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher shared that the University recently surpassed the half-way mark in its “We Believe” fundraising campaign.
The public-facing launch of the campaign in April 2016 set a high bar to reach $300 million, the largest goal in Belmont history, by 2020 in order to support five University priorities: scholarships, endowed faculty positions, missions, athletic funding and annual giving. With the help of Bruiser and the Belmont cheerleading team, last night Dr. Fisher revealed that the We Believe campaign total now stands at $151,317,565.
Fisher said, “I am so grateful for the thousands of men and women, as well corporate and foundation partners, who are showing such tremendous belief in the mission of Belmont University. This campaign is strengthening our ability to empower our students with an education that will transform lives and enable them to lead lives of purpose. The We Believe funds aid us specifically in attracting top faculty, enhancing student experiences, creating mission opportunities, supporting athletics and expanding student research. Most importantly, this campaign is positioning us to aid more qualified students in achieving a Belmont education, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
To date, more than 12,400 donors have contributed to the campaign, and 93 new endowed scholarships have been created. Thanks to a long history of strong financial management and diligent cost control, Belmont is able to partner with its supporters to leverage their investments in the institution’s future. The University is matching contributions to campaign priority endowments between $25,000 and $1.5 million ‘dollar for dollar,’ doubling the impact of each donor’s commitment.
Belmont’s Vice President for Development and External Relations Dr. Perry Moulds added, “What’s happening at Belmont University is special. Our faculty and staff drive it, our students feel it, and our parents, donors and friends all want to be a part of it. I am so grateful for the countless individuals who have supported this campaign and have expressed their belief in Belmont in such a tangible fashion. I believe their generosity will take an already successful institution to the next level, catapulting us even further onto the national stage and making a difference in lives for generations to come.”
For more information on the campaign, giving priorities and ways to give, visit Belmont’s We Believe website.
