Dreams Unite FAQs

Dreams Unite is a $60 million comprehensive campaign to unite our supporters in building the scholarships, programmatic funding and facilities that define the future of UCM. Join us by making a gift today to ensure every student has the opportunity to build their dreams.

Has this happened before?
No. In 1993, the university launched a $12 million capital campaign. Thanks to the generosity of 18,581 donors, UCM exceeded that goal, raising more than $15 million. Today, with Dreams Unite, we are making history with the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign.

What is the difference between a capital and a comprehensive campaign?
A capital campaign focuses only on new construction and renovations to existing facilities, while that is just part of a comprehensive campaign. A comprehensive campaign offers flexible giving options like planned gifts, scholarship and programmatic endowments, and UCM’s unrestricted Central Annual Fund, serving the university’s most immediate needs. 

What is an endowment?
An endowment is a fund established to provide ongoing support, either directly to students as a scholarship or to a specific program or area of the university. The original gift remains intact while the interest from the investment is spent annually. This provides a permanent source of funding, in perpetuity. 

How were the campaign priorities determined?
Students, staff, faculty, alumni and supporters received a questionnaire in 2022 about the physical infrastructure of UCM’s Warrensburg campus. A campaign proposal incorporating key priorities from this feedback underwent a feasibility test during the summer of 2023, and results were presented to UCM’s Board of Governors that October. An adjusted campaign proposal was voted on and approved by the UCM Alumni Foundation Board of Directors and the Board of Governors in 2024.

What is UCM’s Master Plan?
The University of Central Missouri’s Master Plan was approved by the Board of Governors in 2023. It is a strategic road map governing capital projects over the next 10 years.

Are any other building renovations, such as residence halls,  part of the Dreams Unite campaign?
No. While a full renovation of the historical Laura J. Yeater Hall is part of the university’s Master Plan, it is not part of this campaign. The three capital projects included in this campaign are: the new Welcome Center, renovations to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center and renovations to Thomas R. Gaines Technology Building.

Is the renovation of the Humphreys Building part of the Dreams Unite campaign?
No. A complete renovation of the Pauline A. Humphreys Building, totaling $39.8 million, was fully funded by the state of Missouri. 

Why can’t the university or the government fund these projects?
Funding from the state of Missouri and grants from other sources is restricted to specific projects. Private donations are also restricted by donor intent. A comprehensive campaign allows the university to be strategic in targeting gifts to the identified priorities and get the funding where it is needed most.

I already make an annual or monthly donation; does that support the campaign?
If you are currently contributing to UCM’s Central Annual Fund, the answer is yes! This fund is the university’s unrestricted fund dedicated to funding the greatest needs, including the scholarships, endowments and capital projects identified in the Dreams Unite campaign. If you would like to ensure your contribution goes to a specific campaign priority, please use the dropdown menu on the giving page.