Principal Daniel Woolf addresses the crowd at the Campaign launch, September 2012. 

Donations to the Queen’s Initiative Campaign topped the 2012-13 fiscal year goal, attracting a record number of benefactors while raising the University’s profile nationally and internationally.

Gifts totaling over $67 million, well past the $60 million goal, came from more than 12,000 alumni and friends.

The Initiative Campaign is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s history. The goal is to raise half a billion dollars and inspire $100 million in future gift commitments, largely through estate plans. So far, more than $340 million has been donated.

Donations will ensure Queen’s future as a destination for exceptional people, will nurture a supportive campus community, enhance the student learning experience, and secure a global reputation in discovery and inquiry.

Last year’s gifts will have a wide-ranging impact. For example, a notable and imaginative gift of $2.5 million, directed to Student Affairs, will be used to support student wellness on campus. Campaign funds will also help support a unique initiative, The Jack Project @ Queen’s, that will help promote mental health awareness at Canadian high schools, colleges and universities.

Other donations this past year will help support a variety initiatives, including:
• Aboriginal Scholars Award
• Fund for the Centre for Innovation in Global Engineering
• Principal Wallace Freedom of Opportunity Award
• Goodes Hall Expansion
• Classroom renovations
• Student assistance
• Interactive creative arts fund and award in women`s and gender studies
• Undergraduate education in geological sciences and geological engineering
• Chairs and professorships
• Biology station at Opinicon
• Human Mobility Research Centre
• The Aboriginal Access to Engineering Program
• Military and Veteran`s Health Fund

“In the last year I have met so many impressive alumni and heard so many inspiring stories about the impact Queen’s has had on their lives,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “Their passion for this place – and their donations and advice – will make a tremendous difference in our students’ education and experience and in the University’s future.”

Vice-Principal (Advancement) Tom Harris said university leaders, including deans, staff, faculty, students, alumni and volunteers are moving Queen`s into the future with the campaign.

“Philanthropic support from our alumni and friends will help frame the Queen’s of the future,” says VP Harris. “Since formally kicking off in September, key volunteers led by Campaign Chair Gord Nixon have been fully immersed in Campaign activities. This is a critical juncture for Queen’s and everyone involved understands that we must be successful.”

Click here to read more about the details of fiscal 2012-13 gifts and information about Initiative Campaign’s progress-to-date and the stories behind it.