UCF students and staff write their hopes for the university’s future during a Go For Launch campaign event on Feb. 19 at the Fairwinds Alumni Center.
Bryan Gonzalez
UCF’s Day of Giving on April 9, is an opportunity for students, faculty and community members to donate to a variety of initiatives, including specific programs, scholarships and other areas of need.
This year, UCF is highlighting the university’s largest fundraising effort in history: the Go For Launch campaign.
Publicly launched Feb. 21, the campaign aims to raise $3.5 billion for campus investment over a ‘multi-year period,’ according to a press release.
The Charge previously reported details about the campaign’s release, including that the university had obtained more than $2 billion in early donor commitments. As of April 6, UCF Advancement and Partnerships has now secured nearly $2.2 billion of the $3.5 billion goal, according to the website.
Senior Vice President for Advancement and Partnerships Rod Grabowski said funds raised from Day of Giving, including donations to UCF’s various programs, will be incorporated into the overall fundraising goal.
“It’s a day for all of us to come together and to make a commitment to the university,” Grabowski said. “Any of the fundraising that we do is of a comprehensive nature, meaning any gift counts.”
On the UCF Advancements and Partnership website, fundraising for the campaigns is divided into two categories: philanthropy and revenue.
Grabowski said philanthropy involves donations from partners and individuals, but revenue is classified as money the university receives that is not from student tuition or allocated from the state.
The Go For Launch campaign is divided into four focus pillars: Elevating Student Success, Fueling Discovery & Innovation, Advancing Future Frontiers and Driving Competitive Excellence, according to the campaign website. Each pillar focuses on various goals, including providing scholarships to students, recruiting experts and updating and advancing sports venues.
According to Grabowski, the timeline for the Go For Launch campaign aligns with President Cartwright’s tenure, which began July 1, 2020. He said the campaign’s goals and planning reflect Cartwright’s priorities for the university.
“Everyone is very happy with the direction of the university,” Grabowski said. “I don’t control what the board of trustees are doing, but I fully anticipate that he is going to be with us the entire time of this campaign.”
A UCF spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding President Cartwright’s role and leadership going forward in the fundraising campaign.
Grabowski said that although the campaign focuses on all aspects of the university, it still holds one main purpose.
“Ultimately, everything we do for this campaign is for the students,” Grabowski said.