With two years remaining in its Dare Northward fundraising campaign, Colby College has already surpassed $1 billion, making it the most successful campaign in the school’s history.
The Waterville liberal arts college set an original goal of $750 million, but later raised the target to $1 billion. This week, the school has “substantially exceeded” the $1 billion mark.
Colby said the campaign has positioned the college as a global pace-setter in higher education committed to the liberal arts and prepared for advances in science and technology.
“At a time when the national narrative is about a lack of support for higher education, the Colby community has stepped forward to demonstrate the power of commitment and philanthropy to transform their college, the very essence of a liberal arts college, and the capacity for private institutions to act in the public interest,” said President David A. Greene.
“In the final phase of the campaign, our focus will be on excellence in science, technology, innovation, and financial aid, essential ingredients for a great liberal arts college now and into the future,” he added.
Greene was honored as a Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year in 2017.
The ongoing campaign comes amid the school’s plans to transform a campus building into a 40,000-square-foot community and discovery space touted as a game-changer for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dare Northward has enabled Colby to launch a loan-free financial aid program while expanding faculty, curriculum, student experiences and community partnerships.
In a ranking of Maine’s largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, Colby was ranked No. 5. Rankings were based on full-time enrollment in fall 2024.
Mainebiz will publish the 2026 Book of Lists on Dec. 29.