The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has officially started the most ambitious fundraising effort in its 92-year history. The campaign, named Blue & Bold, aims to raise $700 million to support students, enhance research capabilities, and fund major campus development projects. University officials announced that the initiative has already secured over $335 million, nearing the halfway point of its goal.
The announcement was made by UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal during the State of the University address, an event attended by students, faculty, staff, and community partners. The campaign is designed to build on the university's recent growth and solidify its position as a leading urban research institution.
A Record-Breaking Goal for UMKC
The $700 million target represents the largest fundraising goal ever set by the university. Chancellor Agrawal highlighted the importance of this initiative for the institution's future, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation and community impact.
“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 stated. “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.”
The campaign has already made significant progress, having raised $335,869,017.02. This early success indicates strong support from alumni, donors, and community partners who believe in the university's mission.
Three Core Priorities for the Campaign
The Blue & Bold campaign is structured around three primary objectives designed to advance UMKC's mission. These pillars will guide the allocation of funds to ensure comprehensive growth across the university.
1. Student Success and Support
A significant portion of the funds will be dedicated to scholarships and other forms of student support. The goal is to make education more accessible and affordable, ensuring that talented students have the resources they need to succeed both academically and personally.
2. Research and Innovation
The campaign will invest in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial education. This focus is intended to bolster UMKC’s status as a top-tier Carnegie Research 1 institution, a classification reserved for universities with very high research activity. These investments will foster groundbreaking research and discovery.
3. Community Engagement and Service
UMKC aims to deepen its connection with the Kansas City region. Funds will support community-focused services, including healthcare initiatives, workforce development programs, and other projects addressing critical local needs. This priority underscores the university's role as an anchor institution for the community.
Amanda Davis, UMKC's chief advancement officer and president of the UMKC Foundation, commented on the university's unique culture. “UMKC is extraordinary. It's a place where care and generosity are woven into the culture, and where service and scholarship extend beyond the campus,” she said.
Major Infrastructure Projects Planned
A substantial part of the campaign, a minimum of $250 million, is earmarked for improving the physical infrastructure of UMKC's campuses. These projects involve both new construction and extensive renovations to provide state-of-the-art facilities for learning and research.
- Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building: This five-story, 160,000-square-foot facility is the university's largest capital project to date. Located on the Health Sciences Campus, it is scheduled for completion in 2026.
- James C. Olson Performing Arts Center: The campaign will fund an expansion of this key facility on the Volker Campus, enhancing the university's arts programs.
- Atterbury Welcome Center: A complete renovation of the welcome center is planned to create a more modern and inviting gateway to the Volker Campus.
In addition to physical buildings, the campaign will add another $100 million to UMKC’s endowments. This will generate an estimated $50 million in annual support for students, faculty, and programs across all university departments, ensuring long-term financial stability.
Leadership and Community Support
The Blue & Bold campaign is guided by a volunteer committee co-chaired by Dr. Nelson Sabates and his wife, Rachael Sabates. Dr. Sabates is a distinguished alumnus of UMKC and has served as the chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology for over two decades.
The Sabates family has demonstrated a profound commitment to the university. In 2024, they pledged a multimillion-dollar contribution to the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building. This donation stands as the largest ever made by an alumnus to the UMKC School of Medicine.
“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.”
Support for the campaign also comes from long-time university advocates like Bob Regnier, chair of the UMKC Foundation Board, who co-chaired the university's last major fundraising campaign over a decade ago. “UMKC supporters have always stepped forward with remarkable generosity and vision,” Regnier noted. “Their belief in our Carnegie Research 1 university has created tremendous momentum—and we’re just getting started.”