University of Windsor

The Challenge

In response to a significant period of growth and the 50th anniversary of its incorporation, the University of Windsor embarked upon a campaign to build the Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI), the new home for the faculty of engineering. The plans for this world-class facility required C$27.5 million, the largest capital investment ever made by the University of Windsor and its donors. The CEI was the first in a series of capital improvements and other campus priorities that led to the need for increased fundraising for the university—community partnership, research, student support, programmatic improvements, and more than C$250 million in capital were identified as needs for the campus.

The Solution

Following a feasibility study for the CEI building, CCS provided consultative guidance for the building campaign that eventually transitioned into interim development management and the oversight of a longer-term campaign to support the C$250M campus transformation. CCS provided hands-on guidance to the President and Vice Chancellor as well as trained and supported the growing development team as they prepared to engage and ask donors for support beyond previous gift levels. More than C$147 million in public and private gifts was raised by the end of our engagement to support education, research, a new downtown campus, and other campus transformations.

The Impact

More than 10 capital projects were supported by this campus transformation effort including the construction of new buildings and much-needed renovations to others. Additionally, investment in the university’s endowment increased by 72 percent. These improvements led to increased enrollment in affected programs, increased student support, groundbreaking research, and meaningful community partnerships, all of which helped to take the University of Windsor to a new level of quality and access to education.