Campaign will create new opportunities for students, faculty and the Memphis community
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis announced a transformational $400 million fundraising goal for Memphis Is Forever — the University’s comprehensive campaign to expand opportunity for students, strengthen academic and research excellence, and build a stronger future for Memphis and the region.
The campaign has already raised $346 million — 86% of its goal.
“I know that $400 million is a large goal,” said University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave. “But we already know what’s possible when Tigers come together. We have been quietly working toward this goal for the past few years, and our alumni, donors, friends and partners have responded in remarkable ways. This is about more than dollars. It is about creating opportunity, expanding what is possible and giving Memphis the resources and momentum to think bigger, reach higher and turn our potential into reality.”
Creating More Opportunities for Students
Increasing scholarship support for current and future University of Memphis students is a central focus of Memphis Is Forever.
The campaign set a goal of creating 325 new scholarship funds to open doors for students. To date, 292 new scholarship funds have been created.
The campaign also established a goal of 200 new endowed scholarship funds, providing sustainable support for generations of students. Already, 173 endowed scholarship funds are in place.
As part of the campaign, the University of Memphis Foundation Board approved a transformational opportunity to accelerate the creation of new endowed scholarships.
Through the Memphis Is Forever Scholarship Endowment Match Program, the Foundation will provide matching funds for 50 new endowed scholarships. For every eligible new $50,000 endowed scholarship commitment, the Foundation will provide an additional $50,000 in matching funds, creating an endowed scholarship with a minimum value of $100,000.
The initiative will represent $2.5 million in new donor commitments, matched by $2.5 million from the Foundation, for a combined $5 million investment in endowed scholarships.
“This is the kind of bold investment that can change lives for generations,” said Hardgrave. “These scholarships will support today’s students while creating opportunities for future Tigers for years to come.”
Bringing More Tigers Into the Family
While fundraising is an important measure of the campaign’s progress, Memphis Is Forever also focuses on expanding the community of people who invest in the University of Memphis.
By the conclusion of the campaign, the University aims to engage 38,000 donors, including 23,000 new donors who will make their first investment in the University of Memphis.
“Memphis Is Forever is about so much more than reaching a philanthropic goal,” said University of Memphis Senior Vice President for Advancement Tara Jones. “It is about inviting everyone to be part of something bigger than themselves — creating opportunities for our current and future students, strengthening our university and shaping the future of Memphis. Every gift, at every level, makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that the University of Memphis continues to transform lives and our community for generations to come.”
Imagining What’s Possible
The campaign is built around an ambitious vision for the University of Memphis and its role in the city, region and beyond.
It is a vision in which the University attracts, retains and graduates students who go on to lead lives equal to their potential — creating a successful outcome for every student.
It is a vision of classrooms filled with faculty who are on the leading edge of creating knowledge that changes the world while inspiring the next generation.
And it is a vision of the University of Memphis becoming one of the nation’s leading institutions in reputation, research and athletics.
“We know how to do more with less,” Hardgrave said. “Memphis Is Forever is about giving the University of Memphis the opportunity to do more with more — more resources, more opportunity and more momentum to achieve what we know this University can become.”
Watch the Memphis Is Forever kick-off video below.
