Vanderbilt’s Dare to Grow fundraising campaign surpasses ‘unprecedented’ $3.2 billion

An image of Vanderbilt University’s main campus.

Vanderbilt University’s Dare to Grow campaign to expand student programming at the university has surpassed its $3.2 billion fundraising goal 20 months ahead of its target date in June 2026, a recent announcement said.

According to a news release from the university, the achievement underscores the generosity of donors, and “widespread enthusiasm” for the university’s vision to deepen its regional and global impact. Chancellor Daniel Diermeier told alumni during last month’s Reunion Weekend that the recent success of fundraising efforts represents a major milestone for the university.

 “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,” he said in a public statement.

The announcement said the Dare to Grow campaign, which takes its name from the university’s Latin motto “Crescere aude,” has already made a “profound impact on the Vanderbilt community and far beyond.” The campaign has so far facilitated the launch of the Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center, Dialogue Vanderbilt and the Berg Global Artist-in-Residence program, among several other “transformative” initiatives.

In addition, Vanderbilt leaders said campaign gifts have provided scholarships to undergraduates through the financial aid program Opportunity Vanderbilt. The Dare to Grow campaign has also raised funds to support students’ experiential learning opportunities through internships and summer research, as well as extracurricular experiences in student organizations, club sports and more.  

Since the initial launch of the campaign, more than 138,500 supporters have contributed approximately $654 million to support faculty and research programs and created 161 new endowments to support faculty. Supporters have given more than $452 million to support undergraduate students by establishing 687 scholarships, among other milestones.

“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.” 

According to the announcement, continued fundraising for the Dare to Grow campaign will support a range of initiatives across the university, including new efforts like the Institute of National Security and the College of Connected Computing, and for driving research in areas such as prenatal care, addiction, environmental science and other interdisciplinary fields.

“By investing in Vanderbilt, we are investing in the future—the next wave of leaders, of scientific breakthroughs, of critical conversations, of solutions to society’s problems,” said Madden, founder, CEO and president of Apex Heritage Group. “That’s what daring to grow is about. And there’s still time for all of us to be a part of it.”