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Hard work, time, talent and treasure contributed by dedicated donors, volunteers and staff enable the Realize the Full Potential of IEEE Campaign to surpass its fundraising target.

The IEEE Foundation has 30 million bold new reasons to be proud after reaching its ambitious $30 million fundraising goal through its Realize the Full Potential of IEEE Campaign. Initiated in November 2015 and publicly launched in February 2018, the campaign’s landmark $30 million fundraising target — achieved in December 2020 — is driving new levels of technological access, innovation and engagement through a variety of far-reaching global initiatives designed to transform lives through the power of technology and education.

“I’m so pleased to report our success in achieving our $30 million goal,” confirmed IEEE Foundation President John Treichler. “I’m even happier to report the depth of the philanthropic support the campaign garnered – from individual IEEE members, IEEE members working through their IEEE ‘organizational units,’ companies who rely on our members’ talents, and other individuals who see the educational and humanitarian value in the work our members are doing.”

“The successful completion of the Campaign extends the impact of IEEE programs in technical education, humanitarian impact, history of technology, and an unlimited range of global grassroots programs,” noted 2018 IEEE President Jim Jefferies of such groundbreaking initiatives as IEEE Smart Village, EPICS in IEEE, IEEE Power & Energy Scholarship Plus Initiative, REACH and many more. According to Jefferies, “every contributor and ultimately every recipient will be elevated as part of this major leap forward for the IEEE Foundation.”

“When we first initiated the campaign, we knew it would be a challenge, but we also felt confident that our donors, Foundation Board of Directors and staff would be there to answer the call,” shared Lyle Feisel, the IEEE Foundation’s Vice President of Development at the time the campaign concept was first pitched. “Everyone who worked on the campaign and the thousands of donors who contributed their time, talent and treasure can take great satisfaction in knowing that the campaign has positively impacted the lives of real people for years to come.”

Among the many key contributors to the campaign’s success were Emerson and Betsy Pugh, esteemed members of both IEEE’s Heritage Circle and the IEEE Goldsmith Legacy League. Following their establishment of ‘The Elizabeth & Emerson Pugh Young Scholar in Residence’ at the IEEE History Center in 2018, the Pughs’ generous gift in celebration of the History Center’s 40th anniversary in 2020 ultimately helped propel the IEEE Foundation across the finish line of the Realize the Full Potential of IEEE Campaign.

“The successful conclusion of the $30 million campaign is exciting not only because it marks the realization of our goal, but also because it points the way to continued growth of the partnership between IEEE and the IEEE Foundation and the expansion of philanthropic support for IEEE programs,” shared 2007 IEEE President and IEEE Foundation President Emerita Leah H. Jamieson.

Amid celebration of this milestone achievement, the IEEE Foundation team confirms that it only marks the beginning, not the end, of an important journey. “We encourage everyone to stay involved as we continue to illuminate, educate, engage and energize,” Treichler said of the work to come. “Together we realize the impact IEEE has on our members, future engineers, and the billions of people around the world who benefit from technology that improves lives and addresses global challenges.”