After planning the $750 million Forever LSU campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort ever conducted by the University, LSU was poised to grow its endowment, build cutting-edge research facilities and laboratories, expand its existing programs, and create new academic opportunities on campus and throughout the world. But before the campaign could launch, Hurricane Katrina devastated the state of Louisiana and its economy.
Campbell & Company provided campaign counsel to the Louisiana State University Foundation, helping the Foundation collaborate smoothly with the University’s main campus, AgCenter (LSU Agricultural Center) and Paul M. Herbert Law Center, as well as the LSU Alumni Association and the Tiger Athletic Foundation.
As Forever LSU progressed, disaster struck again. And again. And again. Through Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, we tailored our approach to address the Foundation’s changing needs. Our efforts helped the Foundation and its fundraising partners persist through the economic impact of the disasters, and, with our guidance, LSU staff and volunteers drove the campaign to an unprecedented level of success.
“Campbell & Company was an objective voice, and that helped bring perspective to the many groups working together on this campaign.”
-Jeff McLain, Former Senior Vice President for Development, Louisiana State Foundation
On Friday, November 12, 2010, Campaign Chair Henson Moore officially announced that the campaign had surpassed its $750 million goal. Forever LSU had rallied the entire University community during incredibly difficult times, and more than 50,000 LSU alumni, friends, foundations and corporations united in the effort. Their contributions included the largest single gift in the University’s history ($25 million), as well as its largest corporate gift ($4.75 million). With a subsequent matching state grant, the campaign has reached a total of $798 million.