In Biggest Campaign Yet, Cornell Raises $3.8 Billion

Despite a financial crisis that caused philanthropy to plummet nationwide, Cornell University raised 80 percent, or $3.83 billion, of its “Cornell Now” fundraising campaign goal as of Feb. 3, putting it ahead of track to reach its target of $4.75 billion by 2015.

The campaign, originally launched in 2006 as “Far Above … The Campaign for Cornell,” is the most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s history, according to Richard Banks ’72, associate vice president for alumni affairs and development. Donations to “Cornell Now” are meant to support the university’s most pressing initiatives.