More than 25,000 people across Nebraska and the country have given to the University of Nebraska for the very first time since the launch of the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities in 2005.

Gifts to this comprehensive fundraising initiative have now reached $844 million—well on the way toward the goal of $1.2 billion in gifts by 2014 to meet high-priority opportunities and needs of the university.

“We’re very grateful for this generous support from our alumni, friends, companies and other foundations to help meet the campaign priorities,” said Clarence L. Castner, president of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “The priorities are clearly resonating with people who want to take an active part in moving the university forward.”

“We’re very grateful for this generous support from our alumni, friends, companies and other foundations to help meet the campaign priorities. The priorities are clearly resonating with people who want to take an active part in moving the university forward.”

Castner said the highest campaign priority is to help ensure the university remains accessible and affordable by increasing private support for student financial aid.

It also focuses on areas where the university has the greatest potential to excel, including:

• Cancer research and treatment.
• Agriculture and life sciences.
• Water for food.
• Early childhood education.
• Information technology.
• Architectural engineering and construction.
• Many college-based goals.

The campaign, the largest in the history of the University of Nebraska, is also led by the largest number of volunteers helping the foundation. More than 330 volunteers from across the country assist in taking important messages to their fellow alumni and friends of the university about what the campaign strives to accomplish for the university.