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Recapping the Madison Century

Success beyond dollars initiates philanthropic culture

By Pam Brock

The Madison Century, JMU's first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, was victorious on many fronts -- boasting a final total that topped the campaign goal by $20 million.

A total of $70 million was committed as a direct result of JMU's six-year capital campaign. The final total is $20 million, or 40 percent, more than the campaign's $50 million goal.

JMU President Linwood H. Rose, who announced a major commitment to private fundraising in his presidential inaugural address 10 years ago, expressed his satisfaction: "I am truly heartened and excited by the unqualified success of our first comprehensive campaign. On behalf of JMU, I extend sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this milestone accomplishment."

The six-year comprehensive campaign, The Madison Century: A Campaign for JMU, began July 1, 2002, with a goal of $50 million. The campaign officially closed June 30, 2008.

Joanne Carr, senior vice president of university advancement, along with campaign volunteer and leadership donor Steve Leeolou ('78), shared the initial news in a letter to major donors earlier this summer. "Just as encouraging as the total dollars raised is the change in culture at Madison," they reported. "Along with fundraising goals, the Madison Century campaign also set out to change the Madison culture to one in which philanthropy is an accepted part of university life. In just six years, a new culture of giving at Madison has taken root and begun to flourish."

A series of successes

The Madison Century capital campaign comprised a series of success stories. Among them was the $16.6 million in private giving received last year. "That's the highest one-year total JMU has ever enjoyed and an increase of 24.8 percent over our best previous year," according to Carr.

In addition, she said, "85 percent of the almost 250 donors who made a major gift had never before given at that level to JMU."

Gifts to the Madison Fund, the core of the annual giving program, came to $18 million over the course of the campaign and a record $4 million last year.

Duke Club giving topped $4.4 million during the six-year campaign and $1 million in the final year. That's the first time Duke Club giving has crossed the $1 million threshold in just one year.

The President's Council has seen significant growth since it was established three years ago. Membership in this giving leadership group has grown from 1,124 in Fiscal Year 2006, to 1,269 in FY07 and currently to 1,361 in FY08. "This growth in membership puts JMU on the right track for continued success in expanding that culture of giving," said Rose, who initiated formation of the council.

Impact already evident

Campus is already seeing the positive effects of giving to the campaign. The Robert and Frances Plecker Athletic Performance Center, which was built primarily from private gifts of $8.3 million, has been serving JMU student-athletes for two years. Almost $8.4 million has been raised to build and equip the future Forbes Performing Arts Center, which is under construction now and due to open in March 2010.

New endowed scholarship gifts of $13.8 million allows JMU to assist 370 additional students every year. An additional $2.26 million in scholarships raised through annual giving was disbursed to students almost immediately.

Campaign goals

The capital campaign met or surpassed four of its five major fundraising goals and topped several by significant amounts.

  • $5.2 million raised: Faculty chairs, professorships and teaching excellence ($7.5 million goal)
  • $16.3 million raised: Student scholarships: ($4 million goal)
  • $25 million raised: Support for academic and athletics programs ($20 million goal)
  • $17 million raised: Improved facilities ($17 million goal)
  • $5.7 million raised: Unrestricted operating support ($1.5 million goal)

"The close of the Madison Century campaign signifies the end of one incredible era and the beginning of another at Madison," Carr and Leeolou reported to major donors. "It is with great pride that we can claim Madison truly has come of age."