WVU Foundation to start largest fundraiser in history

The West Virginia University Foundation is embarking on its largest private fundraiser ever.

A State of Minds is a fundraising campaign that aims to raise $750 million for the University. This goal is three times larger than the most recent Building Greatness campaign, which took place from 1998-2003.

A State of Minds will focus on six main priorities, a part of the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future.

Wayne King, CEO and president of the WVU Foundation, said that although this campaign is now going public, it has been in the works for several years.

"We actually started the silent phase in July of 2007 with the intent that at some point, when we had reached 65 or 70 percent of our goal, we would have a public announcement," King said, adding that alumni, corporations and friends of the University have been extremely generous in their contributions to the WVU Foundation.

"We selected the June 3 date to go public to coincide with the completion and implementation of the WVU Strategic Plan, because our fundraising goes directly to help fund many of those priorities," King said.

A State of Minds will, in conjunction with the 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future, aim to enhance the undergraduate student experience and global education, advance the research initiative of the University and enable WVU to improve West Virginia’s health, economy and quality of life.

There are also goals within the fundraiser to foster faculty excellence, enhance WVU through professional and graduate education and support healthcare through research, education and patient care.

As of June 2, $538 million had been raised by the Foundation, and this money goes toward scholarships, fellowships and facility upgrades as well as other things that benefit the University’s students.

The benefits don’t stop at the University, though. Through the Extension Service, this money will go to support the rest of the state as well – a part of WVU’s goals as a land-grant institution.

King stressed the importance of donors to this process. Without the many generous alumni and friends of the University, the WVU Foundation would not be able to accomplish its goals
and help the University, King said.

To donate to the campaign, visit http://www.wvuf.org/.