University campaign on track to reach goal

Binghamton University is expected to surpass the financial goals of the “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton” campaign, Vice President for External Affairs Marcia Craner told the University Council at its May 13 meeting.

“Fifteen months remain until the conclusion of the campaign,” Craner said. “We are working not just to meet our ($95 million) goal, but we are going to exceed it. We plan to finish strong by creating additional opportunities to engage our many dedicated campaign volunteers.”

The “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton” campaign, which had an online public launch in April 2010, has raised nearly $91 million. The previous campaign, “Believe,” had a $36 million goal and eventually raised $43.69 million. The current campaign has seen the average size of gifts nearly double since “Believe,” Craner said. Some of the gifts include $45 million from Siemens/UGS, an anonymous $6 million donation, $1.5 million from the Decker Foundation and $1 million from Charles ’98 and Jean Kim.

“If someone had asked me in May 2007 whether I believed we could overcome the challenges of an international economic downturn and continue to raise dollars in a successful campaign, I don’t know how I would’ve answered,” said Craner, who added that the University’s endowment is at its highest level ever: $82 million.

“The work of the Division of External Affairs, in my opinion, has never been more important to the University,” she said. “By strengthening external support and engagement, Binghamton University can face current challenges and pursue new opportunities.”