Initiative Campaign launch event in Toronto 

The launch of the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Queen’s University’s history has taken home top honours at the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education’s (CCAE) annual awards, the Prix d’Excellence. The launch, which included an anchor event on campus and four complementary events in other cities, was named the Best Development Event and honoured with a gold medal.

“It means a great deal to see our hard work recognized by our colleagues at peer institutions right across the country,” says Vice Principal (Advancement) Tom Harris. “I want to congratulate everyone who contributed to the success of these important projects. These tools are a key part of our success as we strive to reach our philanthropic goals.”

Queen’s University also won a silver medal for Best Alumni Initiative for an event hosted by the Queen’s University Alumni Association’s Calgary Branch which saw the Queen’s Bands perform as part of the Calgary Stampede’s 100th anniversary parade in July 2012. The University won a bronze medal for the Best Student Recruitment Viewbook, a key tool in communicating with prospective undergraduate students.

The Department of Advancement was also honoured with two awards Council for Advancement and Support for Education’s (CASE) International Awards. The University’s ‘Case for Support’ brochure, which informs donors of Queen’s priorities and how they can support the university’s future through the Initiative Campaign, won a silver Circle of Excellence Award in the Case Statements/General Cultivation Publications category. The video to launch the Initiative Campaign was honoured with a bronze CASE Circle of Excellence Award. It was chosen from among 95 international submissions. University Marketing created all of the prize-winning material.

Queen’s University also won the People’s Choice award for “Best Giving or Campaign Site” at the 2013 Canadian Regional eduStyle Awards, which celebrate the best work in college and university websites.

“These awards affirm that the vehicles we are using to reach out to the world are resonating with our peers across the country and around the world,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “Anything that supports the Initiative Campaign in turn means more support for students, faculty, research and facilities, and help position Queen’s for continued excellence.”

The goal of the Initiative Campaign is to raise $500 million for Queen’s by 2016, along with $100 million in planned estate giving. The Campaign also seeks to raise the university’s national and international profile by highlighting the research and scholarly accomplishments of Queen’s faculty and students, as well as the quality of education programs.