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 Initiative Campaign launch in Kingston, September 2012

After exceeding goals in the last fiscal year, the Initiative Campaign shows no signs of slowing down. Since May, the campaign has received a number of significant gifts from benefactors, bringing the fundraising total to just over $359 million – or 72 per cent of the $500 million goal.

The amount in confirmed gift planning, including the estimated value of future bequests, insurance, registered account and trust proceeds, now stands at $85.8 million, or 86% of the separate $100 million goal.

“It’s exciting to see the campaign off to such a strong start in the new fiscal year,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “The support that we are receiving demonstrates a genuine commitment to our people, our research and our educational programs as we work to advance the university’s goals and its standing as one of Canada’s leading institutions of knowledge, innovation and social purpose.”

The campaign has received a number of significant anonymous gifts since the fiscal year began on May 1st. A $10-million gift will support research and teaching in the Faculty of Health Sciences, along with some dedicated funding to support stadium and field refurbishment at West Campus. Another anonymous gift of $3.5 million will support the education of medical students at Queen’s.

“In both cases, these extraordinary gifts were from friends of Queen’s – not alumni,” says Tom Harris, Vice-Principal (Advancement). “That indicates the university’s excellence is being recognized and supported by people outside our immediate Queen’s family, which is very flattering and meaningful for the entire Queen’s community. 

Queen’s parents and friends have contributed $45 million to the campaign so far.

The campaign also recently received a $400,000 gift to support the Wounded Warrior Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research. The scholarship is dedicated to supporting a doctoral student pursing research in that area as part of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran’s Health Research – a national initiative housed at Queen’s and devoted to optimizing the health and well-being of Canadian military personnel, veterans and their families.