Vanderbilt University’s Dare to Grow campaign, which was launched publicly in spring 2023, has eclipsed its $3.2 billion fundraising goal 20 months ahead of its target date of June 30, 2026, underscoring the generosity of donors, widespread enthusiasm for the university’s vision and boundless potential for the future. The news, which Chancellor Daniel Diermeier shared with alumni and supporters during Reunion Weekend, is both a celebration and a call to action as Vanderbilt looks ahead to deepening its impact in Nashville, across the nation and around the world.
“This is a milestone we can all be proud of,” Diermeier said. “Thanks to every one of our donors and the team behind the campaign, Dare to Grow is fueling our ambition to become the Great University of the 21st Century. It is changing lives through scholarships, opening doors for research, improving facilities for our student-athletes and fans, and much more. Having seen what we can accomplish together, we will set our aspirations higher and work together to reach them.”
The Dare to Grow campaign—which takes its name from the university’s motto, Crescere aude—has already made a profound impact on the Vanderbilt community and far beyond. Through generous support from donors, the campaign has facilitated the launch of the Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center, Dialogue Vanderbilt, the Berg Global Artist-in-Residence program and several other transformative initiatives.
Campaign gifts have provided scholarships to undergraduates through Opportunity Vanderbilt, further securing the program’s impact and reputation as the nation’s gold standard for financial aid. In addition, donors have supported graduate students across the university, including through the Access2VLS need-based grants at Vanderbilt Law School. The Dare to Grow campaign has raised funds to support students’ experiential learning opportunities through internships, study abroad and summer research, as well as extracurricular experiences in student organizations, club sports and more.
Since the public launch of the campaign, more than 138,500 supporters have:
- Contributed approximately $654 million to support faculty and research programs
- Created 161 new endowments to support faculty
- Given more than $452 million to support undergraduate students, establishing 687 scholarships and counting
- Established 489 graduate scholarships and given $230 million for graduate scholarship support
In addition to these academic achievements, the Dare to Grow campaign has revolutionized Vanderbilt’s athletics programs through the Vandy United initiative. With approximately $354 million raised for Vandy United to date, the university has begun work on major facilities and operational enhancements including the Frist Athletics Village, a world-class basketball facility and ambitious renovations planned for Hawkins Field. Through the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and other efforts, the campaign has also funded scholarships and support programs to ensure that Vanderbilt student-athletes are poised for success both on and off the field.
Collectively, these achievements support all three of the campaign’s principal pathways for giving—Destination Vanderbilt, Discovery Vanderbilt and One Vanderbilt—each designed to drive bold new levels of growth.
“Reaching this milestone early reflects our community’s profound dedication to Vanderbilt’s mission,” Provost C. Cybele Raver said. “Through this campaign, we’re expanding scholarships, advancing faculty research, and creating new pathways for discovery and collaboration. The impact of Dare to Grow is only beginning, as we work together to shape a future of lasting impact.”
Achieving and surpassing an ambitious goal
Reaching the $3.2 billion goal ahead of schedule is a testament to the avid engagement of the Vanderbilt community—from dedicated parents, families and friends, to supporters in Nashville, to alumni across the globe. Already the university has engaged more than 95,000 alumni through its call to “Give, Go, Help, Share.” Since spring 2023, Vanderbilt has hosted more than 2,700 guests at Dare to Grow roadshows and salons, which have been held across the country and will continue until the campaign’s close in June 2026.
“Vanderbilt’s commitment to excellence is palpable not only on campus, but across our network of Commodores,” said Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations John Lutz. “Fundraising is a team sport, and the Vanderbilt community has worked together to reach and exceed this extraordinary goal. Now, in true Vanderbilt fashion, we can seize the opportunity to work even harder and drive even more life-changing impact through the end of the campaign and beyond.”
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