What might 2036, the year of Emory’s bicentennial, look like with our community leading the way? Today, the answer to that question is taking shape with the conclusion of the most successful fundraising campaign in the university’s history.
Eight years ago, Emory’s 2O36 fundraising campaign started its leadership phase. In 2021, it gathered significant momentum with the community launch, rallying alumni, friends and supporters to invest in a powerful vision for the university’s bicentennial year. Now, as the campaign draws to a successful close on Aug. 31, it will be celebrated as the most impactful fundraising effort in Emory history, reshaping the trajectory of the university and its academic health system for generations to come.
“The historic 2O36 campaign positioned Emory as a national leader: an institution that others turn to for solutions and breakthroughs,” Emory President Gregory L. Fenves says. “Emory is poised to reach new heights in the years ahead with ambition and heart. That is only possible because of the dedication of our community and the success of this remarkable campaign. I am deeply grateful to everyone who came together to make it happen.”
The campaign’s numbers are impressive, but it is the transformational impact behind those numbers that is truly monumental. More than 120,000 people have given to the 2O36 campaign, empowering Emory to surpass the goal of $4 billion. Together, their gifts advanced the campaign’s three core pillars — student support, faculty eminence and research excellence — while also investing in academic programs and health care priorities across the university.
Donors directed their philanthropy toward both immediate academic and health care needs and long-term endowed funds, strengthening the foundation of support that will continue to propel the Emory mission. Donors have created 363 new scholarships, opening Emory’s doors for talented students regardless of financial circumstances. They have endowed 106 professorships, ensuring that eminent scholars are recruited and retained to teach, mentor and advance knowledge at Emory. Their investments in research will fuel breakthroughs in medicine, public health and the sciences. And support for programs across every school and unit has strengthened Emory’s capacity to serve humanity through education, research and care — with an ambition matched by heart.
“Every gift, large or small, money or time, was an investment in a brighter, more ambitious future,” says Josh Newton, senior vice president of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “2O36 united the Emory community like never before — across schools, disciplines and generations. I thank everyone who participated in this movement from the bottom of my heart.”
2O36 has been a movement about promise and possibility — about uniting people who believe in Emory’s power to serve, to heal, to create and to lead. It was a call to dream, to build and to act together. That belief has already reshaped the present and will continue to reverberate far into the future.
“2O36 represents a commitment to Emory’s future on an unprecedented scale,” says Fenves. “Emory is ready to lead in education, research, scholarship and health care for many decades to come, and this campaign — and our incredible supporters — make that possible.”
Learn more about the campaign and its impact at 2036.emory.edu.