$1,500,000,000.00 Liberation Financially

BC launches $1.5B fund-raising plan

By Christine Mcconville
Sunday, October 12, 2008

Boston College has launched its biggest fund-raising campaign.

“Light the World: The 150th Anniversary Campaign for Boston College” is a $1.5 billion, seven-year initiative. The money will be used to pay for new academic programs, more financial aid for students, improved sports programs and new buildings on its Newton campus.

The campaign’s title refers to the Jesuit school’s mission of forming men and women who work for good in the world.

BC President William Leahy said last week that the world’s economic collapse won’t keep the university from reaching its goals.

“We are taking the long view,” he said. “The economy will recover.”

In fact, despite all the recent financial turbulence, the school has already quietly brought in some $500 million in donations for this current campaign. One anonymous donor contributed $50 million.

The campaign may be BC’s most ambitious fund-raiser, but other universities have set greater goals. Last year, Stanford University launched a $4.3 billion fund-raising campaign, while Yale University kicked off a $3 billion effort.

Link (here)