University of Miami’s Momentum2 Campaign Hits Billion-Dollar Mark

MIAMI, October 26, 2012 —The University of Miami announced today that Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign for the University of Miami has hit the $1 billion mark, putting the University on the fast track to reach the campaign’s fundraising goal of $1.6 billion in 2016.

The campaign was off to a strong start, with $906 million already raised when UM celebrated its public launch in February 2012 during a ceremony attended by several hundred donors, trustees, and top administrators.

“The success of this campaign is proof that focused leadership and unwavering dedication by people who love this University can make our vision of an academic powerhouse a reality,” says Leonard Abess, chair of UM’s Board of Trustees and co-chair, with his wife Jayne, of Momentum2.

The $1 billion raised to date is from over 100,000 donors, of which 124 have given $1 million or more. Thirty endowed scholarships are now in place for student support to continue to attract star students. A total of 17 endowed chairs and professorships have been established, which will have a significant and enduring impact on the recruitment of outstanding research faculty. The 14 new and renovated facilities will support cutting-edge inquiry demands with sophisticated laboratories, high-caliber core facilities, and robust administrative support.

The largest gift to the campaign to date is $100 million from the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation—funds that will support research and bring the world closer to a cure for a disease that afflicts more than 25 million people in this country.

“Our donors have made a choice to invest in the next great American university,” says President Donna E. Shalala. “Their generous support will enable us to continue recruiting the brightest students and top faculty and have first-class facilities for them.”

The University’s investment in premier teaching and research not only yields academic excellence and research breakthroughs—it has dramatically contributed to the economy during a period of economic downturn. One of the largest employers in Miami-Dade County, the University of Miami has an economic impact of $5.62 billion on the county, with a total impact of $6.1 billion on the tri-county (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) region.

“These investments will go back into the community and across the world through an educated workforce, world-class citizens, and groundbreaking health care delivery,” says Sergio M. Gonzalez, senior vice president for University Advancement and External Affairs.

Supporters of the University of Miami and the Momentum2 campaign range from dedicated philanthropists who have provided steady and generous support over many years to recent graduates just starting out in their careers. Some are longtime staff members, parents of current students, members of the local community, and/or among UM’s more than 157,000 living alumni. In addition, supporters include foundations, businesses, and other enterprises whose missions complement those of the University.

The campaign achieves this remarkable milestone as the University continues to ride a crest of major achievements during the past years. For the fourth year in a row, UM has ranked in the top 50 in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges issue. UM is once again the highest-ranked school in Florida. For more information on the University of Miami’s Momentum2 campaign, visit www.miami.edu/momentum2 .

Also, read the Bloomberg news story on UM reaching the $1 billion mark for its Momentum2 Campaign at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-26/university-of-miami-passes-1-billion-in-fundraising-bid.html

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Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign for the University of Miami seeks to advance learning, elevate scholarship, and make bold strides in health care in the community, across the country, and around the world. Momentum2 comes on the heels of the institution’s record-breaking Momentum: The Campaign for the University of Miami, which concluded at the end of 2007 and raised more than $1.4 billion for endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, facilities, academic and medical programs, and other initiatives. www.miami.edu/momentum2.

The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu