The Campus Review
September 18, 2026
The University of St. Thomas has launched a $1 billion fundraising campaign after securing nearly $800 million in commitments before the public launch. University officials announced the public phase of the St. Thomas $1 billion fundraising campaign on Thursday, along with an $82 million gift from the Ciresi Walburn Foundation and the Michael V. and Ann C. Ciresi Foundation.
According to the university, the initiative represents the largest fundraising drive ever launched by a private college or university in Minnesota.
The public rollout follows a multi-year leadership phase that received financial backing from more than 20,000 donors. University leaders said the campaign will support student scholarships, endowed faculty positions, student research initiatives, and campus facilities.
Key Facts and Figures
The table below outlines the primary figures released by the university at the launch:
| Feature | Campaign Metric |
| Official Title | Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas |
| Fundraising Target | St. Thomas fundraising goal of $1.0 billion |
| Committed at Launch | Nearly $800 million in commitments |
| Major Contribution | St. Thomas $82 million gift from Ciresi family foundations |
| Scholarships Dedicated | Nearly $350 million committed to date |
| Donor Participation | More than 20,000 donors |
| Engagement Objective | 1,000,000 documented acts of service, mentoring, and advocacy |
What the $82 Million Gift Will Support
The $82 million donation from the Ciresi Walburn Foundation and the Michael V. and Ann C. Ciresi Foundation will be distributed over 10 years.
According to the university and foundation announcements, the gift will support three initiatives:
- Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellows Program: Provides an endowed program in perpetuity, offering 13 annual awards of $17,500 each to Minnesota high school graduates who demonstrate academic potential, leadership, and financial need.
- Center for First-Generation College Students: Finances a specialized campus resource center to help students whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree.
- Center for Leadership: Establishes an interdisciplinary center focused on leadership development across undergraduate degree paths.
Regarding the gift, Foundation President Michael V. Ciresi stated:
“We created the foundation to serve children and young adults, and over time we learned that education was where we could have the greatest impact. This gift to St. Thomas ensures that work will continue in perpetuity.”
How the St. Thomas $1 billion fundraising campaign will use the Funds
The Be Brilliant Be Bold campaign allocates resources across four primary areas:
- Student Financial Aid: Expanding both annual and endowed scholarships to make tuition more manageable for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Faculty Endowments: Creating endowed chairs, professorships, and research fellowships to retain faculty in critical subject fields.
- Applied Learning: Subsidizing student internships, entrepreneurship initiatives, and faculty-mentored undergraduate research projects.
- Campus Facilities and Mission: Supporting capital projects and initiatives that advance the university’s Catholic mission, building on earlier investments such as the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena.
Scholarships and Student Access
University leaders designated University of St. Thomas scholarships as the campaign’s primary focus. Out of the money committed so far, donors have directed nearly $350 million specifically to financial aid.
The university said the scholarship funding will help reduce student debt while assisting students from low-income backgrounds. This focus on reducing student borrowing also reflects broader efforts by colleges to expand no-loan financial aid policies.
University President Rob Vischer stated:
“Across industries and sectors, we hear a consistent message from leaders: The world needs the type of graduates St. Thomas produces. They need people who are prepared not only with knowledge and skill, but with the judgment, purpose and moral responsibility to use their gifts to serve others. This campaign is about answering that call.”
Vischer also noted that University of St. Thomas donations will help widen college access:
“We want to reflect the diversity of the communities we aspire to serve, and that has been very important to Mike Ciresi for many years. He is all about access. It is the impetus for this broader gift. It is trying to drive access and support for lower-income students and for first-generation students at St. Thomas.”
What Happens Next in the University Fundraising Campaign
With the University of St. Thomas campaign now in its public phase, the university has outlined its fundraising timeline and engagement goals for the remainder of the drive:
- Campaign Timeline: President Rob Vischer said he expects the university could reach the $1 billion goal within two to three years if current giving patterns continue.
- Engagement Tracking: The university will track participation toward its 1,000,000 acts of service goal.
- Program Rollout: Planning and administrative setup for the Center for Leadership and the Center for First-Generation College Students will continue as early payments from the Ciresi Foundation are disbursed.
End Note
The St. Thomas $1 billion fundraising campaign now enters its public phase, with the university seeking to close the remaining gap through continued donor participation. The campaign will focus on student access, financial aid, faculty support, and other university priorities.
