Butler Raises $210M Toward Butler Beyond Campaign
(Photo courtesy: Butler University)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowButler University has raised $210 million toward its $250 million goal with one year remaining in its Butler Beyond fundraising campaign. The university says the campaign aims to support student access and success as well as innovations in teaching and learning and community partnerships.
Butler says the campaign is designed to fund its new strategic direction, which is focused on strengthening the core residential undergraduate experience while also launching new educational opportunities.
“It has been extremely gratifying to witness the generous support of the entire Butler community during this campaign, and the leadership of our Board of Trustees in this effort has been especially noteworthy,” said Butler President Jim Danko. “In spite of the challenges we have faced over the past year, extensive generosity from our community in the form of philanthropic gifts to the Butler Beyond comprehensive fundraising campaign has allowed us to continue pursuing our strategic goals with a clear vision for Butler’s future.”
According to the university, the largest single contribution was a $25 million gift from Andre and Julia Lacy that resulted in the renaming of the College of Business to the Andre B. Lacy School of Business in 2016 and jump-started fundraising efforts for the new building for the school, which opened in 2019.
Corporate and foundation community partners have also provided support, particularly to the Sciences Expansion and Renovation Project and the university’s strategic transformation efforts as part of the Butler Beyond Transformation Lab.
“On behalf of Butler faculty, staff, and students, I am grateful for the overwhelming support from our donors and community partners in advancing our vision for expanding student access and success, elevating teaching and learning, and engaging our community in creative and collaborative ways,” said Vice President for Advancement Jonathan Purvis. “Every gift has contributed to Butler’s momentum since the start of this campaign in 2015, and the loyal partnership of the Butler philanthropic community is making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and in the broader Indianapolis community.”
So far, the university says donors have given nearly $50 million to endowed student scholarships, nearing the university’s $55 million goal for new scholarship support.
Butler says a $10 million Lilly Endowment grant will drive its strategic efforts to serve a more diverse set of adult and online learners through a new Division of Professional Studies and creation of new academic programs and alternative credentials.