Des Moines University today announced it is extending its capital campaign from the original goal of $25 million to $50 million, making it the largest fundraising campaign in the history of the graduate medical and health sciences university.  

DMU, which in the fall began construction on an 88-acre site in West Des Moines to replace its Des Moines campus, has already exceeded the original $25 million goal by more than $5 million. As of Dec. 1, the “Purple and Proud” campaign had raised $30,094,759. 

“The success of the campaign during the first two years, combined with the commitment to build a new campus on 88 acres in West Des Moines, made it clear we should extend the campaign to support our plans for growth and innovation in all of DMU’s operations,” said Angela Walker Franklin, the university’s president and CEO. “Many of our supporters have encouraged us to continue the campaign as we bring innovation and advancement to health sciences teaching, research and clinical services.” 

The two-year fundraising campaign had been scheduled to conclude on Dec. 31. 

“By extending the campaign, we will increase our support for extraordinary advancements and innovation in teaching, research, clinical services and community engagement,” Franklin said. “It will also give supporters of the university exciting opportunities to help bring the advanced, new campus to life and position us to meet health care needs across the nation.”

The purpose of the campaign is to raise money to advance three priorities: Development of the new campus and expansion of programs; support for students with enhanced learning opportunities and scholarships; and investment in faculty teaching endeavors. The medical school celebrated the start of construction of the new campus in West Des Moines in September. Click here to read a Business Record article about the project. 

More than 4,200 donors, including nearly 3,000 alumni, have contributed to the campaign so far, according to a summary on the campaign website. 

The commitment shown by DMU supporters is in large part due to Franklin’s “bold vision and consistent leadership,” said Dr. David Kapaska, chair of DMU’s board of trustees. 

“We felt so humbled and rewarded by the early stage of the campaign, that we knew it would be important to continue our effort, especially with the decision to move the campus to a larger property and bring new technologies to bear,” Kapaska said. “We are so grateful for the excitement and support of the entire DMU community and our alumni and friends nationwide.”

The Purple & Proud Campaign provides “an extraordinary opportunity for all members of the DMU community to create even greater opportunities for future students, patients and people in central Iowa and beyond,” said Jami Haberl, president of the DMU Alumni Association Board. 

“We all can be part of not only creating a new medical and health sciences campus but also advancing a movement that provides greater access to innovative graduate education, increased knowledge, the finest clinical care and enhanced public health. Imagine how together, we will change the world,” Haberl said. 

For more information about the Purple & Proud Campaign, visit www.campaign.dmu.edu.