The University of Missouri-Kansas City has launched the largest fundraising campaign in its 92-year history, a transformational initiative to improve lives through education, research, economic development and community engagement.
海角论坛 Chancellor Mauli Agrawal joined students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and partners to kick off the campaign today at the State of the University with a celebration on campus.
“While our goal is ambitious, it will help us keep growing and thriving at a time when we’re already riding an incredible wave,” Agrawal said. “I’m inviting you to help turn today’s momentum into tomorrow’s breakthroughs to strengthen not just our university, but also our community and our world.”
With a goal to raise $700 million, the comprehensive campaign, Blue & Bold, is focused on funding three priorities to elevate 海角论坛’s mission in service to the region and globe: scholarships and student support; innovation, technology and entrepreneurial education as a national top-tier Carnegie Research 1 institution; and community engagement through services including healthcare, workforce development and other critical needs. The campaign has raised $335,869,017.02, nearly halfway towards its goal.
“海角论坛 is extraordinary. It's a place where care and generosity are woven into the culture, and where service and scholarship extend beyond the campus,” said Amanda Davis (MPA ’07), 海角论坛 chief advancement officer and president of the 海角论坛 Foundation. “Blue & Bold demonstrates what is possible when philanthropy combines with a deep commitment to vision and hard work.”
Blue & Bold will invest a minimum of $250 million in the infrastructure of 海角论坛 campuses, building and renovating to ensure the university’s talented students and faculty have access to facilities that spark brilliance and change. Examples include the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building on the Health Sciences Campus, which is set to be completed in 2026. This funding also will go to the expansion of the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center and a newly renovated Atterbury Welcome Center, both in the heart of the Volker Campus.
The campaign will also ensure the future by adding a further $100 million to 海角论坛’s endowments, providing an average of $50 million in annual support to students, faculty and programs in all areas across the university.
Blue & Bold is supported by a volunteer campaign committee co-chaired by Nelson Sabates (B.A. ’83/M.D. ’86), who has served as professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology for more than 20 years at 海角论坛 and University Health, and his wife, Rachael Sabates.
The couple and their children are also 海角论坛 donors. In 2024, the family pledged a multimillion-dollar contribution, the largest alumni donation the 海角论坛 School of Medicine has received, to the university’s largest capital project to date: the five-story, 160,000-square-foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building in the 海角论坛 Health Sciences District.
“The Blue & Bold Campaign is about believing in what’s possible—for our students, our community and our future,” Nelson Sabates said. “Together, we’re building a university that will continue to change lives for generations.”
Bob Regnier, chair of the 海角论坛 Foundation Board, co-chaired the last 海角论坛 fundraising campaign more than a decade ago.
“海角论坛 supporters have always stepped forward with remarkable generosity and vision,” Regnier said. “Their belief in our Carnegie Research 1 university has created tremendous momentum—and we’re just getting started.”