Largest drive to fundraise planned
University aims for $230 million

By Jessica Cervantez
Staff Reporter

University Advancement is gearing up for the largest fund-raising campaign in TCU’s history.

Although the campaign is still in the planning process, its goal is to raise $230 million in seven years.

Bronson Davis, vice chancellor for university advancement, said the beginning phase of the campaign will occur throughout this semester.

“The first year is only a planning year of projects and fundraisers to be achieved in the next six years,” Davis said.

Before any of the actual fundraising begins, TCU officials want to give the “Our Time, Our Future” campaign a test run by traveling to 11 major cities and soliciting future donors. Davis said these initial trips are merely an effort to foster conversations about the message, the mission and even the name of the campaign.

“We want to get the information proposed in the campaign out to the alumni, faculty and staff,” he said.

Several alumni have expressed interest in the campaign, but in order to accomplish all the university’s goals, more people must be involved, Davis said.

“There are a number of prospects as of now, but we still don’t have enough,” Davis said. “We hope to expand the attraction.”

As the campaign participants meet with alumni, they hope to gather ideas on how to sharpen the campaign’s message, Davis said.

Nancy Petruso, assistant vice chancellor for university advancement, said specific donors will be targeted to support projects in the next campaign.“Generally, a donor who makes a large contribution of $100,000 or more, wants to have a say in how it is used,” Petruso said. “It is very unusual for a donor to make a gift of that size and let the university do what it wants with it.”

Petruso said the biggest difference in a new campaign will be the inclusion of people outside the TCU community.
“It is hard to be objective when looking at yourself, and you do not always see things from a fresh perspective,” Petruso said. “By bringing people in the community on to campus and getting them involved in TCU, it raises their level of interest in the university and gives them a reason to be interested in our success.”

Alumna Krystal Bolt said by having a long-term campaign it may capture the eyes of alumni and get them to participate and contribute money.

“A campaign this in-depth will get the community to band together and make a significant difference at TCU,” Bolt said.

As of now, the top priority is to develop the campaign’s packet of information and goals the committee plans to achieve in the next seven years, Davis said.

TCU officials said they hope to raise money for new technology, renovations of buildings and the construction of a new recreation center and a new baseball stadium, which will allow more room for a football practice field.

“The more we can fund philanthropically for the recreation center, the less TCU has to charge students,” Davis said.
Davis said there is talk of a new indoor multi-use athletic facility, which may include batting cages, gyms, an 80-yard football field and a track.

Davis said he hopes these preliminary efforts will produce a campaign that will rally alumni and truly transform TCU.
“We are trying to be the best TCU we can be,” Davis said. “It is important for us to grow, and in order to attract the best students and succeed in our mission, this campaign needs to be focused and make an impact.”

Davis said the preliminary plans will be presented to the Board of Trustees Friday. TCU officials hope to have the campaign in full swing, publicly, by next fall, Davis said.

Jessica Cervantez
jsCervantez@yahoo.com
Natascha Terc, Skiff staff member, contributed to this report.