CBC, Free Press: U of M raises $215M in fundraising campaign

As the CBC reports:

The University of Manitoba has raised about 43 per cent of its goal to reach $500 million by 2018. On Saturday the school publicly launched its fundraiser, “Front and Centre” during the half-time show at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game.

The campaign has been operating behind the scenes since 2010, and has raised more than $215 million since then. Much of the money has come from private donations from individuals and foundations.

“This is such a great example of where our community once again shows its strength,” said John Kearsey vice-president of external for the University of Manitoba. The school is now hoping to broaden its donor base.

As the Winnipeg Free Press reports:

The money boggles the mind.

The University of Manitoba has already raised an exceptionally precise $215,294,636.30 by late Saturday afternoon in the most ambitious capital fundraising campaign by a public institution in Manitoba history.