$25 million fundraising campaign announced

Simpson College announced Saturday, Oct. 19 the impressive progress and ultimate goal of a comprehensive fundraising campaign designed to position the College for a bold future. 

Imagine the Impact: A Campaign for Simpson College has a goal to raise $25 million for the renovation of both Dunn Library and Carver Science Hall, increasing the College Endowment and contributing to The Simpson Fund. The campaign has already raised 80 percent of its goal thanks to the success of the silent phase, which saw more than 3,000 donors contribute over $20 million. The campaign is projected to run until May 31, 2020.

The public phase of the campaign kicked off with an announcement to hundreds at the annual homecoming tailgate outside of Hillman Hall. A 40-foot banner dropped from the roof of the building revealing the number $20,323,561—the exact figure already raised.

“The past couple of years in higher education have been challenging,” said Bob Lane ’81, vice president for college advancement. “But this college is resilient. There is a determination to get back to being the best. It’s time. We are calling on every single individual who has ever felt Simpson’s impact to join us in moving it forward.”

The secured funds are already being put to good use as two general classrooms, a biology lab and a chemistry lab in Carver Science Hall recently received much-needed facelifts. Future plans include a complete overhaul of the first and second floors of Dunn Library and the addition of a third floor. The existing floors will be redesigned to complement the look of the new floor, which will house the school’s teacher education department.

In addition to enhancing the physical aspects of campus, Imagine the Impact will increase the endowment, positioning the College to more assuredly face the future. The Simpson Fund—a campus-wide, unrestricted fund for the areas of greatest need—will also benefit from the money raised for the campaign. 

“As we open this campaign to the public, we’re giving all who love this place a chance to permanently connect to it,” Lane said. “We’re giving them a chance to truly change the face of teaching, learning and campus culture. That’s pretty special.”

• To donate or to learn more about Imagine the Impact, visit impactsimpson.com.
• Listen to Bob Lane discuss the campaign on the Speaking of Simpson podcast.