College Foundation's Capital Campaign exceeds $15 million goal by $1.7 million

Despite its public launch in 2008 — just weeks before the nation’s economy began to slide into a recession — SUNY Fredonia’s “Doors to Success” capital campaign swung wide open, ultimately attracting contributions that eclipsed the $15 million goal by an impressive margin.

The largest and most ambitious fundraising campaign ever waged by the university and the Fredonia College Foundation raised just over $16.7 million — nearly $2 million above the goal — over its five-year timetable that ended December 31, 2011.

Exceeding the goal was possible in large measure by across-the-board participation from Fredonia College Foundation board members, alumni, university administration, faculty and staff and the community and the generous donations — especially from alumni and friends — that followed.

“We were able to reach out to key graduates, companies and organizations, some of whom we hadn’t worked with previously. We explained to them the opportunities that are available here at Fredonia, and the kind of impact they can have on our students and, through them, the world at large,” said Dr. David Tiffany, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Fredonia College Foundation. “We were really able to advance the way SUNY Fredonia is positioned in a lot of people’s minds.”

Individual goals for the five campaign components were met or exceeded: $7.5 million for scholarships; $2.5 million for educational enrichment programming; $2.5 million to strengthen academic programs and enhance support organizations that benefit Reed Library, the Office For Academic Affairs and athletic programs; $1.5 million for cultural experiences; and $1 million for unrestricted uses to allow the university to address immediate priorities.

All contributions, including those that pushed the campaign total over $15 million, were allocated according to donor wishes.

In his final all-campus address in January, President Dennis Hefner praised the efforts of Tiffany, the University Advancement staff and others on campus who participated in the campaign through donations, solicitation of gifts or helped identify potential donors. “We are also indebted to the fine work of the Fredonia College Foundation board members, and to our national campaign chair David Carnahan, who were so instrumental in helping us reach our goal,” Hefner said.

The university’s previous capital campaign that ended in 2003 generated $10.6 million.