‘We Believe’ initiative to support endowment, students, faculty;
HCA CEO, alum Milton Johnson to chair campaign for 2016-17
Building on the momentum garnered through its recent year-long quasquicentennial anniversary celebration, today Belmont University launched its largest, most extensive fundraising campaign in the institution’s 125-year history. Centered on the theme “We Believe” and intended to raise $300 million, the campaign focuses attention on five areas that are key to the University’s Vision 2020 strategic priorities, including scholarships, faculty support and missions.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “In recent years Belmont University surprised many locally and nationally with its phenomenal growth and astounding success. Landing in the Top 5 Universities in the South in U.S. News, adding more than $500 million in new or upgraded facilities and hosting Tennessee’s first presidential debate are just a few of the unprecedented accomplishments that come to mind. We have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams. But we believe this is only the beginning. This comprehensive campaign will lift the University to even greater levels of acclaim, strengthening our ability to offer a world class education by attracting top faculty, enhancing student experiences, creating mission opportunities, supporting athletics and expanding student research. Most importantly, this campaign will better position us to aid qualified students in achieving a Belmont education, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
HCA Chairman and CEO and Belmont alumnus Milton Johnson, who will chair the campaign in its inaugural year, said, “I give to Belmont because I can personally attest to the transformative power of a Belmont education. My Belmont scholarship was a life-changing opportunity for me, one that I never would have imagined as a Stratford High School student. I am honored to stand with this University in its campaign because I believe Belmont provides a world-class education to help individuals reach their greatest potential. I want to be part of making that happen for generations of students to come.”
The $300 million campaign will include total money raised through the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year with 
more than $56 million already given toward the goal. In addition, thanks to a long history of strong financial management and diligent cost control, Belmont is now able to partner with its supporters to leverage their investments in the institution’s future. The University will match endowment contributions between $25,000 and $1.5 million ‘dollar for dollar,’ doubling the impact of each donor’s commitment.
Specific campaign priorities include:
- Endowed scholarships to ensure more qualified students can receive a Belmont education regardless of financial means
- Faculty support through endowed chairs/professorships to attract and retain preeminent experts in their fields
- Missions support to expand endowed funds to enhance Belmont’s undeniably Christian environment and further students’ ability to serve in the U.S. and abroad
- Athletics funding for endowed scholarships to support high-caliber student athletes who embody Belmont values and represent the University around the world
- Annual Giving to create a culture of philanthropy among Belmont constituent groups that encourages consistent, long-term giving
Belmont’s Vice President for Development and External Relations Dr. Perry Moulds added, “Belmont University cannot achieve what we need to for our students, our community and our world without our partners—the alumni, parents, friends and corporate supporters of our mission. I believe this campaign will take an already successful institution to the next level, catapulting us even further onto the national stage and empowering what I imagine to be an extraordinary future for this campus.”
Click here to view the “We Believe” campaign launch video.
For more information on the campaign, giving priorities and ways to give, visit Belmont’s newly launched We Believe website.
