The Office of Philanthropy is planning a comprehensive capital campaign likely to raise around $40 million to address Eastern’s needs.

“We are moving toward what would become a comprehensive capital campaign,” said Karla Evans, director of the Office of Philanthropy. “We are in somewhat of a silent phase because we have not identified our objectives yet.”

The office is in the process of identifying those objectives, she said.

Evans said the campaign would be in a silent phase until 50 percent of the campaign’s goal is reached.

She added it is very common for campaigns to have silent phases.

In 2003, a three-year initiative was launched to raise $10 million, and the office finished the mini-campaign raising $11 million.

“That was called the ‘You are EIU’ campaign,” Evans said. “It (had) a complete marketing theme throughout the university, and we targeted alumni.”

The campaign concluded in June 2006.

Evans said the office plans to roll the $11 million raised from the “You are EIU” campaign and roll it into the next $10 million raised, which would bring the comprehensive capital campaign out of the silent phase.

Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations, said President Bill Perry is hosting a series of planning meetings this semester with a variety of groups on and off campus.

“He will use the feedback he receives during these meetings as part of a planning retreat with the Board of Trustees,” Nilsen said. “The outcomes of that retreat will help guide our fundraising priorities in the next campaign.”

She added the planning for the campaign is likely to be finished later this semester.

A fundraising campaign allows Eastern to match donor wishes with the university’s needs, Nilsen said.

“The dollars raised will be used to enhance the educational experiences for our students,” she said. “A campaign will bring resources to fund priorities for which other sources of revenue are not available – such as state or federal dollars.”

The Office of Philanthropy handles Eastern’s endowment money and helps the university with fundraising.