Donor Pushes Cedarville’s Campaign Closer to $100 Million

One month ago, Cedarville University president Dr. Thomas White announced the university’s ambitious $125 million comprehensive fundraising campaign — One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville — to a packed-out homecoming audience of students and alumni in the Dixon Ministry Center. In that chapel presentation, White also announced that the university had already received financial commitments totaling $95.6 million — even though the campaign had not been made public.

Now, 30 days later, White returned to the chapel stage for his weekly address to the student body. This time, however, he shared news of an anonymous donor committing $2 million to the campaign. This gift, along with recent commitments of an additional $641,818, raises the campaign total to $98.2 million.

The $2 million commitment will be evenly split between unrestricted student scholarships, therefore allowing more students the opportunity to enroll at Cedarville University and benefit from the transformational experience as a student. The remaining funds will be allocated to the global outreach endowment. These funds will fund faculty and staff group leaders on future missions trips, which the donor believes will encourage more students to participate in global ministry opportunities.

The One Thousand Days Transformed campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university’s 134-year history.  The largest campaign previously was a $22 million building campaign in 2010.

This bold vision for Cedarville will add six new facilities; grow the scope and quality of academic programs; enhance and advance student experiences through chapel, global outreach, and athletics; increase affordability; and, provide for the long-term sustainability of the university.

1000 Days Transformed Campaign Projects:

• $92.5 million for university facilities
• $15 million for scholarships and affordability
• $10 million for enhancing the student experience
• $7.5 million for long-term sustainability through planned giving

“The One Thousand Days Transformed campaign will enable Cedarville to equip students for career success and lifelong impact for the Gospel,” said White at the public launch. “We are grateful for the support this campaign has already received from friends and family of the university, and we give thanks to God for the privilege of stewarding the resources He has so graciously provided.” 

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.