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Ten years ago, the University launched the \u2018What if…\u2019 campaign, enabling real, local change by providing support to students and increasing research capability.<\/strong><\/p>\n Over that time the campaign has raised $157 million from over 13,000 gifts, exceeding its initial goal of $150 million by 2022. Acting Vice-Chancellor Jennifer Windsor says this demonstrates the extraordinary generosity and commitment of those who have donated.<\/p>\n \u201cOur deepest gratitude to the many people who believe in the potential of our students and in the difference our research makes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThousands of students are being supported through scholarships, hundreds of awards have been given, and countless voluntary hours of mentoring through our Alumni as Mentors programme. There are nearly 100 new endowments, meaning that the legacy of support continues into the future. Each of you has enabled us to do things that simply wouldn\u2019t have happened without you.\u201d<\/p>\n Chair of the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM says the campaign has played a pivotal role towards supporting research at the University, but the good work isn\u2019t over yet.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has meant that world leading academics are here, in Wellington, undertaking important, challenging, and tangible research into a wide variety of fields.<\/p>\n \u201cOur world-leading research\u2014in areas as varied as marine conservation, public policy, and understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis\u2014has all been advanced because of the continued generosity of our donors.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we\u2019re excited to celebrate the end of this campaign, it is important that we continue to work alongside our community to ensure we can keep changing lives and keep making a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Another key success of the campaign includes $21 million raised towards the new national music centre.<\/p>\n Dame Kerry says the collective effort of the campaign has also meant that the University\u2019s Student Hardship Fund was able to reach even further and support more students facing emergency financial difficulties.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Fund saw a significant increase in applications during the different COVID-19 lockdowns. With students relying on part-time and casual employment, many saw their incomes impacted by the alert level changes.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the weeks that followed each lockdown, we were very moved by the support of our alumni and donor community, with over $48,000 donated to our Student Hardship Fund across 2020 and 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n