Launch Into the Deep: Fundraising Case Statement

LAUNCH INTO the DEEP.

Resourcing Anderson University’s vision for 2040.

“Launch AU is an ambitious capital campaign driven by a vision that is joyous, even in the midst of so much uncertainty in the world today.

We see with utter clarity a future transformed by this new generation of Christ-honoring servant leaders.

As I’ve often said, Anderson University has always been transformative in the lives of people, including me, humbled as God uses us for his extraordinary purposes.

I’m excited to see God’s life-giving plans come to fruition for our campus, our region, the Church of God, and the society we serve in Jesus’ name—and deeply grateful that we have the privilege of being a part of it.

Join us as we humbly launch out into the deep so God might continue to use us for his extraordinary purposes.”

- President John S. Pistole

“Launch deep and your nets Then Jesus said,

out into the let down for a catch.”

—Luke 5:4 (NKJV)

The morning the apostle Peter encountered Jesus for the first time, his nets were empty. His labor seemingly in vain. The future uncertain. The world as bleak as it ever was.

Then Jesus changed everything. You remember what happened next. Amidst nets full to breaking, Jesus told Peter this was nothing compared to what was coming.

Jesus brought forth abundant life. Joy as Peter had never known it. And a movement that would give hope to God’s people for all of eternity.

And Peter? All he had to do was look out into the deep, and in faith, launch.

We are

ANDERSON UNIVERSITY. We hold firm that Jesus’ invitation to launch out into the deep is real. We’ve experienced it. A small Bible training school founded with just 65 students has somehow impacted the lives of millions. After more than 107 years of abundant grace, we must believe this invitation remains. When we launch out in faith, God works.

Today, as part of the Launch 2040 Strategic Plan, we boldly do just that.

This university has a vision for future students, church partners, and neighbors in our community to meet the world’s deepest hungers with immeasurable hope. The vision will culminate in a new generation of Jesus-following worldchangers, many of whom will set foot on our campus for the first time in 2040.

The work to prepare for this future is underway.

You have the opportunity to launch with us.

INTRODUCING LAUNCH 2040.

The mission of Anderson University is to educate for a life of faith and service in the church and society. This mission is more important today than ever before.

Moved by the significance of this responsibility, university leaders prayerfully gathered for an exercise in selfunderstanding, critique, and dreaming in the fall of 2022.

As we corporately discussed the future, two piercing questions captured our imaginations.

Future Ravens born on this very day will arrive on our campus in 2040. Will we be ready? What must we do today to ensure this university is prepared to answer our mission for these young souls?

And with this,

was born.

To begin resourcing our vision for 2040

THE LAUNCH AU CAMPAIGN IS RAISING $25M OVER 3 YEARS.

$3,500,000 $5,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $2,000,000

STUDENT + SPIRITUAL LIFE Tri-S Program: $3,000,000 Center for Career + Calling: $200,000 Club Sport Expansion: $200,000 Special Programs + Projects: $100,000

ATHLETICS EXCELLENCE Macholtz Stadium Renovations: $3,500,000 Tennis Courts Renovation: $600,000 Baseball Stadium Field Turf: $450,000 Special Programs + Projects: $450,000

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AU Student Fund: $4,500,000 Other Scholarships: $1,000,000 Endowed Scholarships: $750,000 Madison County Fund: $750,000

LAUNCH FUND Strategic Initiatives: $7,500,000

ACADEMIC LIFE Dance Studio + Wilson Gallery: $700,000 Center for Public Service: $500,000 Spanish Certificate Program: $250,000 Special Programs + Projects: $550,000

The Launch AU campaign is an invitation to support Anderson University’s next steps on the path to 2040.

SELECT PROJECTS

Explore a selection of projects within the Launch AU campaign portfolio below. Visit us online to see the full list of projects and progress status on the initiatives.

TRI-S

Revitalize the student travel program with a financial gift that will enable experiential learning, personal development, and cultural exposure. Join us in shaping the next generation to be globally-minded.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

More than 95% of Anderson students depend on scholarships. Your support breaks down barriers for Ravens who may otherwise not be able to attend or complete their degree.

Total goal: $3.0M From 1964 to 2024, 19,837 travelers embarked on 1,656 trips to 83 countries. Generous gifts from people like you will continue to make this possible.

Total goal: $7.0M AU Student Fund: $4.5M Madison County Fund: $1M Endowed Scholarships: $750K Additional Scholarships: $750K

STADIUM RENOVATIONS Your gift enhances the game-day experience and so much more. The stadium renovation is poised to attract larger crowds, foster a sense of unity and pride that extends far beyond the field, raising the overall campus atmosphere and sense of community.

TENNIS COURT RENOVATION After many years of play, large cracks have formed across several courts. Many matches have been hosted off-campus for student safety.

This is your opportunity to invest in these facilities and future Raven student athletes.

CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE This formative program develops students into dedicated professionals addressing critical societal needs. Your gift propels students onto public service career paths such as law, education, government, research, medicine, and social services.

Total goal: $3.5M New home bleachers in Raven Orange, visitor bleachers, and a new press box.

Total goal: $600,000 Complete resurfacing New fencing, nets + branding Naming rights available

Total goal: $500,000 Founded in 1973-74, CPS celebrates 50 years of success this year.

THE RAVEN family IS TALKING ABOUT LAUNCH AU.

CURRENT RAVENS ARE TALKING “Donors, thank you for all that you do, and for giving what you can to make this campus enjoyable and a healthy environment. Thank you for helping students get to where God is calling them. Your faithful obedience is a huge blessing to me and so many others.”

Saniya Fointno Raven Student

FUTURE RAVENS ARE TALKING “As I saw the date 2040 referenced on the cover of the most recent Signatures Magazine, I started thinking of my kids. Our youngest just started first grade this year. That puts her on track to be an AU graduate in 2039. Thanks for leading so well with the future in mind. I’m excited about the future! Continuing to lift AU in prayer!”

Erin Taylor Mother of a Future Raven

GENEROUS RAVENS ARE TALKING “Anderson University has been an anchor for the city of Anderson since its beginning in 1917. Now, over 100 years later, it is still a significant contributor to Anderson’s future. It is our pleasure to be able to enrich AU through our time, talent, and treasure.”

Jay and Nancy Ricker Co-Chairs, Launch AU Fundraising Campaign

Your gift helps us

REALIZE 7 KEY INITIATIVES.

SPIRITUAL LIFE

EXCELLENCE

Now more than ever, we must be clear that the life-giving example of Jesus is our guiding light. To inspire our campus and the broader community, we will reinvigorate the integration of our faith into how we promote our academics and nonacademic offerings.

Brighter futures are forged by leaders who set a new standard for what is possible. To be agents of transformation in the lives we touch, we will elevate our academic, co-curricular, and athletic programs, and more clearly communicate Anderson’s value proposition.

ACADEMIC LIFE

CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

The needs of communities, industries, and ministry fields our students are entering will only grow more demanding.

To better prepare them, we will enhance degree and credential offerings, instructional standards, experiential learning opportunities, academic advising, and mentorship.

Our growth as a university must be not only propelled by purpose but also sustained through advanced data analytics. To ensure progress, we will develop new procedures for training, data keeping, documentation, budgeting, and progress tracking.

STUDENT LIFE

STEWARDSHIP

We believe it’s essential that students experience both a sense of belonging and exposure to other cultures, no matter their own experiences. To better enrich the lives of all students, we will develop new Tri-S experiences, club-based activities, and an inclusive culture of care.

Investments that improve efficiency today and create stability tomorrow are critical to the success of all our initiatives. To put us in the best fiscal position, we will develop plans to control material costs, generate revenue, and focus investment on faculty and staff development.

RELATIONSHIPS Even as we invest deeply in our students, our mission to educate also extends to our neighbors and partners. To better engage our local communities, the Church of God, alumni, retirees, and friends, we will enhance communication and offer our faculty and staff as resources.

“The ability to have conversations with different groups of people like athletes, professors, coaches, and students made AU feel like home.”

- Collin McCaffrey, Anderson Student

FROM ANDERSON, INTO THE WORLD. We believe in a more abundant life for our neighborhood, the city of Anderson, our nation, and the world. Together, we will walk with those called to leadership in church, commerce, and community, and love them like Jesus loves them.

STUDENTS

THE CHURCH OF GOD

We believe that the more we shape our campus culture to be boldly Christcentered, fearlessly inclusive, and experientially engaging, the more successful our students will be as transformational servant leaders.

We believe that our Church of God relationship presents untapped opportunities to equip pastors, preachers, teachers, missionaries, and servant leaders to offer light and life in every mission field and industry.

MADISON COUNTY

SOCIETY

We believe that our Christ-driven educational mission encompasses serving our local communities — the city of Anderson, Madison County, and the Indianapolis metropolitan area — through cultural and economic impact as we contribute to workforce development.

We believe that by investing more deeply in all of our communities — campus, region, and church — Anderson University will create a ripple effect of societal impact that will be seen and felt for generations to come.

“I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

—John 10:10b (NKJV)

RAVEN FAMILY, LET’S LAUNCH INTO THE DEEP. Thank you for your consideration, generosity, and partnership in this important work.

Additional information about the Launch 2040 campaign can be found at launch.anderson.edu.