emorial University launched its largest ever fund-raising effort, The Opportunity Fund, in 1997. The goal was to raise $50 million to increase student scholarships and fellowships, to improve student services facilities, and to support innovative teaching and research initiatives.

At the March 1997 launch Chancellor John C. Crosbie, campaign chairman, kicked off the effort, announcing that $14.5 million had already been pledged. Declaring that the generosity of private sector donors would be met by that of the provincial government, Premier Brian Tobin committed that the province would match, dollar for dollar, all other monetary donations made to The Opportunity Fund — and challenged Chancellor Crosbie to exceed the $50 million goal.

The challenge was met. When the campaign period ended in December 1999, close to $60 million had been pledged to The Opportunity Fund.

Generous donations have come from a variety of sources:

• At the start of the campaign, student leaders supported the plan to dedicate a small portion of tuition fees, raising by the end of the campaign a total of $3.2 million.
• University employees – staff and faculty – developed a number of innovative fund-raising initiatives including payroll deduction contributions, casual clothing days, scholarship drives, barbecues and social gatherings, all with the goal to generate money for The Opportunity Fund.
• Alumni and friends of the university in the province, throughout Canada and around the world, also recognized the university's needs and embraced the campaign. Their contributions, plus those of employees, pensioners and other individuals, total an impressive $6.2 million donated by 14,325 people and estates.
• The business community, provincially and nationally, showed outstanding support for Memorial University and the province. Pledges totalling $15.1 million have been received from the 691 corporations participating in The Opportunity Fund.
• More than 200 groups and foundations have invested $4.5 million in the province's only university.
• Matching the generosity of private sector donors, the provincial government has pledged close to $30 million.

Sources of Funding Expected

Sources of Funding Actual

The results of this fund raising effort are evident throughout the university:

• Since the campaign began, the scholarship fund has grown by more than $15 million. Entrance scholarship funding has grown from $217,400 in 1995-96 to $942,350 in 1999-2000. Each year hundreds more students are entering the university on scholarships, and the value of those scholarships has increased significantly.
• The $1 million Student Centre Annex at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Memorial's Corner Brook campus, was opened in May 1997, providing study, social and recreational space for the college's 1,200 students.
• In St. John's, the $17 million University Centre was opened in early 2000, providing a modern home for the diverse range of services and activities serving the campus's 14,000 students. Construction commenced on the $13 million Field House sports and recreation complete — with indoor running and walking tracks, multipurpose playing area and seating for 2,000 — scheduled for completion in late 2001.
• More than $10 million has been dedicated to innovative teaching and research initiatives throughout the university.

By all measures, The Opportunity Fund has been a remarkable success — the result of the university community, the community at large and the provincial government coming together in the common goal of advancing Memorial University.