Q: What gifts count in the Then, Now & Forever – We Are Point Campaign?
A: The TNF campaign is a comprehensive campaign, which means that every dollar raised between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2019 is counted. There’s no specific “Campaign Fund.” Any gift made in that six-year time span is counted. The UW-Stevens Point Foundation Board established campaign counting guidelines that meet industry standards.
Q: What is the goal of the Then, Now & Forever – We Are Point Campaign?
A: The major objective is to create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff at UWSP that go beyond what is possible with existing funding. Endowments for scholarships, fellowships, faculty positions, and innovative programs help the University fulfill its goal of facilitating student success. While the campaign isn’t about simply reaching a dollar total, we believe gifts of at least $30 million during the six year campaign period will move UWSP meaningfully toward its objectives.
Q: Will the campaign solve the budget issues that the university is facing?
A: Campaigns are not designed to fix budget issues; rather they are undertaken to enhance existing programs, create new, innovative opportunities for students and to give the university, over a long period of time, a more solid financial footing for the future. Of the $25 million raised thus far, only under 10% is unrestricted funding. These unrestricted funds are used for a multitude of purposes, including providing freshman scholarships, opportunities for alumni to engage, and funding for other strategic university needs.
Q: Doesn’t UWSP already get money from the state, and why does UWSP need to raise money from individuals?
A: The state has and will continue to provide funding for the university, but that amount has become a smaller proportion of our budget every year. Between 1973 and 2017, state support has dropped from 50 percent to 13 percent.
Q: What has the campaign accomplished so far?
A: The campaign has raised a total of $25 million so far. The great majority of the money raised is placed in an endowment. A percentage of the earnings funds donors’ designated programs and scholarships. This includes 57 new scholarship accounts, 32 new program accounts, including four endowed chairs and one endowed professorship, and many other opportunities.
Q: How can I give to the campaign?
A: There is no specific “Campaign Fund.” Rather, any gift made to UW-Stevens Point counts towards the campaign. If you would like to make a gift, you can give online or send a check payable to UWSP Foundation. For more information, contact our foundation office at 800-858-5267 or 715-346-3812.
Q: What is the “quiet phase” of a campaign? What is the “public phase”?
A: The “quiet phase” of a capital campaign is the period from the time the fundraising initiative begins to the time a formal, public announcement of the campaign is made. It’s when leadership givers are engaged, planning is executed, and major goals are defined. During this segment of the campaign there is no marketing or publicity.
The “public phase” begins about half way through the campaign lifecycle, when most leadership gifts are committed and final objectives are in place. Usually there is a large event to announce the start of the public phase and, in contrast to the quiet phase, broad-based marketing initiatives and other promotional activities take place to spread the word about campaign goals and progress toward objectives.