CHICAGO — DePaul University celebrated one of the strongest fundraising years in its history during fiscal year 2026, fueled by extraordinary philanthropic support for student success, academic excellence and athletics.
Mission: Forward, DePaul’s comprehensive campaign to raise $650 million, continues to build momentum. Publicly launched in October 2025 by DePaul’s Division of Advancement and External Relations, the campaign surpassed $507 million by the close of FY26, including $84 million raised during the fiscal year. More than 16,000 unique donors helped FY26 fundraising exceed the university’s $65 million goal, marking one of the strongest fundraising years in DePaul’s history.
“Mission: Forward is built on the strength of the people and programs that make DePaul distinctive,” said DePaul President Robert L. Manuel. “The extraordinary generosity of our alumni, friends and partners reflects their confidence in the remarkable work happening across our university. As our faculty prepare students to lead with purpose and develop solutions to society’s most pressing challenges, the support of our donors ensures our Catholic, Vincentian mission continues to make a lasting impact in Chicago and around the world.”
Donor support is advancing purpose-driven, interdisciplinary education, including programs that empower students to address educational access, poverty, environmental sustainability, health equity and technological disruption.
Generous support from DePaul’s global network of friends and alumni, as well as our on-campus community, played a significant role in the year’s success. The university’s Blue Demon Challenge, a 24-hour annual day of giving, exemplifies this collaborative spirit. The most recent Blue Demon Challenge, held on Jan. 22, 2026, raised more than $6.3 million with participation from more than 6,000 donors.
Funds raised during Mission: Forward comprehensively supports every aspect of the university. This includes academic units across DePaul’s 10 colleges and schools, as well as resources that directly assist students, such as the Basic Needs Hub, Student Emergency Assistance Fund and The Finish Line Fund.
Landmark gifts in FY26 also contributed to DePaul’s fundraising on behalf of student success, Catholic studies and music performance. DePaul Trustee and alumnus Gerald Beeson and Jennifer Beeson are strengthening DePaul’s Vincentian mission through support for Catholic studies and field work, scholarships for incoming graduates of Catholic high schools, and an accounting honors program. Former DePaul faculty members Dr. Geoffrey Hirt and Linda Hirt are elevating orchestral and vocal training at DePaul’s School of Music through their transformative gift.
“One of the most striking aspects of the DePaul community’s philanthropy is its depth and breadth of participation,” said Katie Fraumann, senior vice president of Advancement and External Relations. “It’s inspiring to see sustained support at all levels come together in common cause to strengthen every part of DePaul and its Catholic, Vincentian mission.”
Additionally, fundraising for a new, state-of-the-art athletics practice facility — the centerpiece of DePaul Athletics’ DREAM BIG Strategic Plan — had unprecedented success in FY26. In total, DePaul Athletics raised more than $15.6 million — an all-time high for the department — from 2,594 unique donors to support scholarships, team travel, revenue sharing, the new athletics practice facility and operational expenses.
The facility, now under construction on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus, will provide DePaul’s men’s and women’s basketball teams with a space to practice and train, while supporting all 235+ student-athletes and other university initiatives. The first floor of the facility will be dedicated to the health and wellness for all DePaul student-athletes. The facility will also feature a broadcast production studio, allowing for the development of new interdisciplinary partnerships with academic units across the university. This project follows renovations to the Sullivan Athletic Center and McGrath-Phillips Arena, located across Sheffield Avenue from the practice facility site.
“Successful men’s and women’s basketball programs have the power to elevate DePaul’s visibility on a national scale, strengthen alumni pride and create new pathways for engagement across the university community,” said Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. “Athletics is a front porch that invites interaction and support for our entire DePaul University family, and we are grateful and proud to serve as that catalyst.”
More about the Mission: Forward campaign is available online.
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