The Duke Campaign Surpasses $5 Billion

Focus areas are progressing science and technology innovation, creating a more sustainable planet, shaping students as next-generation leaders, and advancing healthcare in communities

Duke's campus at sunrise
Photo courtesy of Duke Marketing & Communications.

This is a summary of a story on MADE FOR THIS. 

Two years into the public launch of its most ambitious campaign to date, Duke University is celebrating milestone moments of its MADE FOR THIS campaign — raising more than $5 billion, mobilizing 40,000 volunteers and engaging nearly 70,000 alumni who had not been recently involved in the university. 

“This campaign is about translating Duke’s highest aspirations into enduring impact,” said President Vincent E. Price. “These milestones reflect the strength of Duke’s global community and our shared commitment to creating a better future. I am deeply grateful to the alumni and friends whose generosity and enthusiasm have shown that Duke is, indeed, made for this.” 

The campaign launched in February 2025 to accelerate progress in four areas where the university can make the greatest difference: advancing innovation through science and technology, creating a more sustainable planet, shaping students as next-generation leaders and advancing health care to help communities thrive. 

In addition, for the first time in the university’s history, the campaign included a goal to re-engage 85,000 global alumni in the life of the university by encouraging them to attend events, connect digitally, give their time and talent and make a gift of any size. To date, the university is at 82% of its engagement goal with more than 10,000 alumni volunteering for the first time and more than 14,000 making their first gift. 

Beyond activities at its home base in Durham, Duke has rolled out the blue carpet in cities across the globe, bringing the campaign experience to alumni and friends in San Francisco, New York City and London. Upcoming stops include Boston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. 

“It’s been incredible to see how Duke alumni have responded,” said Dave Kennedy, vice president for alumni engagement and development. “As I’ve been out on the road talking to Duke alumni and friends, I’ve seen how eager they are to get involved and give back. They are the heart of this university — and we can’t do this without them.” 

Read about recent highlights on MADE FOR THIS.