The fundraising goal of $650 million will help empower students, elevate faculty and drive groundbreaking research that creates a ripple effect of positive change on Chicago and around the world. CHICAGO — DePaul University is launching the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history,
Mission: Forward, a $650 million investment in the future of DePaul students, faculty and community and a renewed commitment to advancing the university’s Catholic, Vincentian mission.
“Higher education stands at a pivotal moment — one that calls for bold action, a transformative vision, and a shared commitment from our community to advance DePaul’s mission,” said DePaul President Robert L. Manuel. “As a Catholic, Vincentian university, DePaul is uniquely positioned to chart this course of change. Through Mission: Forward, we are not just responding to challenges — we are shaping the future of access and opportunity. This campaign invests in the experiences, resources, and people who will transform our communities and our world.”
A $650 million goal with purpose
The fundraising goal of $650 million ensures that the university’s Catholic, Vincentian mission not only endures but thrives. It will help empower students, elevate faculty and drive groundbreaking research that creates a ripple effect of positive change on Chicago and around the world.
The funding will allow DePaul to:
- Expand scholarships so that every student has access to a purpose-driven education.
- Recruit and retain world-class faculty who inspire excellence in teaching and research.
- Invest in new interdisciplinary initiatives that connect learning to the world’s most pressing challenges.
- Strengthen research, facilities and community partnerships that turn knowledge into action.
The campaign will also help DePaul continue to adapt and enhance our offerings in five mission-centric educational pillars:
- Educate to lead & serve: Emerging as ethical leaders and compassionate changemakers.
- Build economic opportunity: Tackling poverty and creating vital pathways to economic mobility.
- Shape sustainable futures: Driving innovation and applying more sustainable solutions.
- Drive ethical tech: Leveraging technology responsibly and serving humanity with integrity.
- Overcome barriers to health: Building healthier communities for all.
“This campaign is about people — the faculty, staff, students and alumni who bring DePaul’s mission to life every day,” said Katie Fraumann, DePaul's senior vice president for advancement and external relations. “When we invest in them, we’re investing in DePaul’s future and the values that set us apart.
“I would also like to thank DePaul Board of Trustees Chair Michael Scudder (MBA ’93) and Mission: Forward co-chairs Sasha Gerritson (MUS ’99) and Jennifer Steans for their incredible leadership, vision and hard work to make this campaign come to life,” Fraumann added.
Founded in 1898, DePaul is one of the largest Catholic universities in the United States, serving more than 20,500 students across more than 300 programs. To learn more about the university, visit
DePaul.edu.
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