By: Mark Apple | February 28, 2022

Butler University President James Danko announced today that the University has exceeded its $250 million fundraising goal for Butler Beyond: The Campaign for Butler University thanks to the overwhelming support of donors during last week’s Day of Giving and a flurry of significant gifts received over the past several weeks.

In total, 34,622 donors have participated in the campaign, which was publicly launched in October 2019 in support of the University’s Butler Beyond strategic direction. Butler remains focused on reaching specific capital fundraising targets for the Dugan Hall facility and the sciences expansion and renovation project. All gifts made through the May 31, 2022 conclusion of the campaign will be recognized in the campaign totals for Butler Beyond.

“When we announced our ambitious $250 million fundraising goal in October 2019, we called upon all Bulldogs to join us in moving Butler Beyond,” Danko said. “More than two years later, and despite the enormous challenges of a global pandemic, the Butler University community has responded with astounding generosity. On behalf of Butler students, faculty, and staff, I am profoundly grateful for the investments made during this campaign, which have provided a strong foundation for the future and will touch the lives of Butler students for generations to come.”

The Butler Beyond campaign is the largest comprehensive campaign in University history and was developed to provide philanthropic support that will fuel Butler’s strategic efforts to deliver transformative change to the University, region, and the world. Last week, 1,909 donors contributed more than $588,800 on Butler’s Day of Giving to help push the University over its $250 million fundraising target. Nearly 82 percent of all donors to the campaign contributed $1,000 or less, indicating the enormous cumulative impact of individual gifts in the overall success of the campaign.

“The collective generosity of the Butler community in reaching this milestone is representative of The Butler Way,” Jonathan Purvis, Vice President for University Advancement, said. “As last week’s Day of Giving demonstrated, each and every gift was an important contribution toward reaching our goal. We are truly grateful for the partnership and collaboration of Butler’s many generous donors in reaching this milestone.”

Gifts to the Butler Beyond campaign are advancing the University’s mission through new and enhanced campus infrastructure, an expanded scholarship endowment, and access to transformational new experiential learning opportunities and degree pathways for current and future Butler students.

Major achievements during the Butler Beyond campaign have included:

  • Expanded access to a Butler education through $62.5 million in new student scholarship support, including 60 new endowed scholarships.
  • The construction and naming of the new 110,000-square-foot Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall, thanks to more than $28.4 million in total philanthropic contributions to the facility including a $7 million commitment from Bill Dugan ‘51.
  • Groundbreaking on the University’s $100 million Sciences Expansion and Renovation project, to which donors have so far contributed more than $32.9 million.
  • A second phase of renovations to Hinkle Fieldhouse thanks to more than $10.7 million in donor contributions.
  • Donors have so far collectively committed nearly $95 million to Butler’s endowment since the start of the campaign, which will contribute to the University’s long-term financial stability.
  • More than $72.2 million in planned estate commitments have also been documented during the campaign.
  • Since the start of the campaign, 13,351 individuals became first-time donors to the University.

“We are proud to be part of a generous and dedicated community that has responded so enthusiastically in support of Butler’s mission and vision for the future,” Keith MBA ʼ90  and Tina Burks, Butler Beyond Campaign Co-Chairs, said. “Thanks to the combined efforts and contributions of each and every donor to the Butler Beyond campaign, the future for Butler University is very bright.”

Day of Giving donors were joined by several individuals and families who made significant philanthropic commitments over the past several weeks, which put the University in a position to meet its goal. The major gift commitments included: a $5 million estate commitment from Dennis Dickos in support of student scholarships and the Sciences Expansion and Renovation Project; a $4 million gift from Jay and Christie Love in support of campus capital improvements; a $1 million gift from Craig Fenneman to establish the Fenneman Family College of Education Scholarship; and a $1 million estate commitment from Rollie and Cheri Dick in support of the Sciences project.

The University will hold a celebration event in Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 23 at 6:00 PM to thank the Butler community for its generous contributions to the Butler Beyond campaign. The celebration is open to the community, and more information can be found at beyond.butler.edu.