Campaign Opportunities

Doane University’s “Our Time to Lead” comprehensive campaign is designed to address the critical needs of our institution, helping us remain at the forefront of education in an ever-changing world.

As the landscape of higher education and our world continues to evolve, so must our facilities, faculty and staff development, technology, and student experience opportunities. The “Our Time to Lead” comprehensive campaign is a collaboration by Doane faculty, staff, students, and alumni to ensure our legacy of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and leadership building remains for generations to come.

Every gift to the Our Time to Lead comprehensive campaign will have a real, tangible impact, helping to improve how we serve our students and employees. Below is a list of the initiatives and opportunities supported by the Our Time to Lead Campaign.

Academic Excellence: Investing in faculty and professional staff will help Doane attract, retain, and serve the best students. Through the Our Time to Lead Campaign, Doane will endow faculty chair positions, invest in technology and resources, provide enhanced opportunities for faculty development, and more.

Crete Campus Enhancements: Updating our historic campus with state-of-the-art collaborative spaces in and out of the classroom with student success in mind. As Doane University moves into the future, so must the buildings that house our programs. Creating dedicated spaces for programs to thrive is crucial.

Doane currently boasts buildings specifically for art, education, and STEM programs. Work is underway on our new Performing Arts Center, which will house Doane’s prestigious musical ensembles and award-winning theatre department. Plans for a new academic building and additional athletic practice spaces, courts, and locker rooms are also being worked on.

At Doane, we are building not just for today, but for the future.

Nonresidential Student Experience Enhancements: Meeting our nonresidential students where they are while offering the experience and services they deserve. Students in our nonresidential spaces often juggle various responsibilities, including full-time jobs and family commitments, while pursuing their education. By investing in tailored services for these students, we empower them to manage their diverse roles effectively and achieve their aspirations, ultimately helping them thrive professionally.

Doane is committed to enhancing the nonresidential student experience through initiatives such as scholarships, technology improvements, food services, and childcare support. These enhancements ensure that all students have access to education and receive the unique support they need to succeed. Our planned facilities and services will provide the necessary support to help them manage their busy lives and successfully pursue higher education.

Innovation Center: Build students’ experience with real-world applications in engineering and business jobs from the community. Opportunities to gain real-world experience are one way to enhance what is taught in the classroom, allowing students to put what they’re learning into practice. There is no substitute for experience on campus or in a workplace that gives you an advantage in your future career. Similarly, local businesses need well-trained, highly motivated employees to help them grow. This unique collaboration between Doane, businesses, and the government will not only provide jobs and services for companies but also experiential learning opportunities for students in entrepreneurship, engineering, and business.

Doane’s Endowment: The Endowment is the only source of permanent capital for the University. A strong endowment directly fuels scholarship support, making a Doane education accessible to more students. These scholarships open doors for individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the mentorship, academic rigor, and personal growth that define a Doane education. When we grow the endowment, we expand this support — reducing financial barriers and allowing students to focus on learning, discovery, and service rather than the burden of cost.

Additionally, the endowment also plays a critical role in sustaining the day-to-day life of the university — maintaining residence halls and dining facilities, supporting faculty research and teaching, and covering the essential costs of operations. But at its heart, increasing the endowment is about investing in people: ensuring that every student who earns admission to Doane has the financial support they need to make their education a reality.