Listen:
The University of Arizona Foundation is on track to reach its $1.5 billion goal ahead of schedule.
To date, the foundation has raised more than $1.3 billion towards what is the biggest fundraising effort in the institution's history, said interim President and CEO JP Roczniak.
"Our hope is to hit the goal before the end of the fiscal year in June," he said.
When the foundation announced the campaign in April 2014, quiet efforts had been underway for three years, netting $800 million.
The campaign is scheduled to run into 2018. Roczniak said officials have not yet decided whether to increase the goal if the initial one is met ahead of schedule, or to end the campaign when it reaches $1.5 billion.
Roczniak pointed to a $50 million gift from the Agnese Nelms Haury Estate as one of the many highlights of the campaign. He says there are more to come.
"There are a couple of gifts that are in the hopper right now that I think will get people on campus excited," he said.
The last fundraising campaign, which ended in 2005, exceeded its goal by 20 percent.
Roczniak took over as interim head of the U of A’s fundraising arm this summer following the departure of James Moore. A search for a permanent replacement is ongoing.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.