In a renewed emphasis of its commitment toward modernized university facilities, student housing and sustained scholarship support, Grambling State University kicked off a Comprehensive Capital Campaign, November 24, with the goal of raising $30 million over the next five to seven years. GSU students were among the first to contribute to the campaign with their contribution of a $1 million scholarship endowment to forge sustained financial support for academic programs. Their endowment was made by a $500,000 contribution which will be matched dollar for dollar and used for need based scholarships.
The gala celebration launching the new initiative—attended by administrators, faculty, staff and students of Grambling State along with alumni, parents and various public officials—was held at New Orleans’ J.W. Marriott Hotel during the annual Bayou Classic Weekend. It was intended to start the more public phase of the new campaign. Highlighting the gala was a performance by Grammy award-winning African-American female a cappella ensemble, "Sweet Honey in the Rock."
The new capital campaign is a first for the university, although money has been raised fairly consistently behind the scenes . The Grambling Black and Gold Foundation, the university's private arm of external financial support, coordinated the kick-off gala and will implement key fundraising initiatives for the effort, the entirety of which will be overseen by the university’s Institutional Advancement unit.