CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Charlotte announced the launch of the largest fundraising campaign in university history.
Called For the Love of Charlotte, the campaign has a goal of raising $500 million. Organizers say it's all about building a pipeline of young professionals from UNC Charlotte into the Queen City community.
“We are a major source of talent in this community with 180,000 alums," Chancellor Sharon Gaber said. "Sixty to 70% of our alums love to stay in the Charlotte metro area, so we're fueling the workforce there."
Leaders say the multi-million-dollar campaign has three main focuses. The first is student success and opportunity, covering hands-on mentorships, resources and possible scholarships. There's also a focus on academic leadership, covering research and new academic programs.
Finally, For the Love of Charlotte's campus and community vibrancy initiative includes partnerships with local organizations based in Charlotte.
So far, the university has raised $250 million for the campaign and they’re hoping to have the second half raised by 2029. University leaders say they can start pulling from the campaign fund this time next year to start on those initiatives.
"We are a relatively young university," Gaber said. "It is incumbent upon us to increase what we're doing to be able to help our students and be able to do more in Charlotte, for Charlotte."
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.