We’re in the home stretch. At the time of this writing, the Venture Forward campaign has reached $17,700,000 toward our goal of $18,000,000. With six months left in this three-year effort, we’ve had 204 families, businesses, and granting agencies come together with gifts and pledges toward accomplishing six campaign objectives. Womack Residence Hall is completed and full of students. The baseball stadium is fully operational. Goodrich Hall is in the midst of a massive renovation, including the addition of a bell tower with elevators, stairs, restrooms, and a cross. The Song Nai Rhee Honors program is almost fully funded. The School of Nursing is growing and expanding as you read this. And the plans for the new Duke Student Commons are well under way. God is using generous people to make dreams come true.
As hopeful as these accomplishments are, there are over 9,000 living alumni who have not yet made gifts to this project. This magazine is mailed to 11,000 alumni and friends. Only a small percentage have yet to be involved.
It’s not unusual for campaigns to be top heavy, with a fewer number of donors carrying a greater proportion. But this breakdown indicates an even greater than usual dependence on large gifts.
$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 = 4
$400,000 to $999.999 = 7
$100,000 to $399,999 = 9
$40,000 to $99,999 = 11
$20,000 to $39,999 = 12
$5,000 to $9,999 = 29
$1,000 to $4,999 = 42
$50 to $999 = 70
Most thriving colleges and universities rely on donations from their alumni base for two primary reasons: scholarships/tuition subsidies and campus development. All Bushnell graduates have benefited from the generosity of previous alumni and friends who have offset costs so that this transformative experience could be affordable and accessible, especially for students from low to middle income households. Even “earned” academic, athletic, and other co-curricular scholarships were funded by alumni and friends of the University.
So we encourage you to help us finish strong in this Venture. Here are some ways you can help:
- Would you consider a one-time gift, or even a life gift, that expresses your gratitude and hope for Bushnell as a place where students find and answer God’s call on their lives?
- Would you consider leading a mini-campaign among your classmates, teammates, choir mates or hall mates?
- Would you consider making a matching gift or challenge gift to inspire other friends or alumni?
- Would you consider hosting a Bushnell dinner, inviting friends to join you in this cause?
- Would you consider becoming a Torchbearer, making a monthly gift that can add up to great things?
- And would you please remember Bushnell in your will or living trust?
All to say, Venture Forward has been a catalyst for the engagement of both old and new donors, both for the current projects and for development yet to come. Momentum is a marvelous gift.
We want to finish this campaign by August 2024, complete all six projects, and turn the corner into the next crucial steps in growing and improving the Bushnell experience. Please partner with us in the home stretch.
God has been faithful. People have been generous. Beautiful things are happening. There’s much more to come.
The Home Stretch: Every Gift Counts
1 gift at 300,000 = $300,000
3 gifts at 100,000 = $300,000
100 gifts at 3,000 = $300,000
300 gifts at 1,000 = $300,000
1000 gifts at 300 = $300,000
3000 gifts at 100 = $300,000
What can we count on you for?
Ways to Give to Venture Forward
Online by Using a Credit Card:
Give.bushnell.edu/ventureforward
By Phone Using a Credit Card:
Office of Advancement:
541-684-7318
By Check via Mail:
Bushnell University
Attn: Venture Forward Campaign
828 E. 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
Gifts of Stock or Securities:
Contact D.A. Davidson (Medford, Ore.): 541-608-4360
Donor Advised Fund (DAF):
Contact your DAF brokerage or administrator directly.
Qualified Charitable IRA
Distribution (QCD):
Contact you IRA brokerage or administrator directly.
Matching Gifts:
Contact your HR office to utilize your company’s matching gift program.
Wire Transfer:
Contact our office for wire instructions: 541-684-7318
Recurring Gifts:
Set up monthly automatic checks
to the address on the left or
monthly online gifts at:
Give.bushnell.edu/ventureforward
Gift Pledges:
Did you know that if you are not ready to make your gift today, you can make a pledge commitment instead? Pledges can be paid in installments through any of the above means, and larger pledges can be fulfilled over several years. Contact the Office of Advancement to learn more: 541-684-7318