Case Western Reserve’s supporters exceeded all expectations in the university’s Forward Thinking campaign—over and over again.

Initial thoughts centered on an effort of about $850 million—just more than double the total of the previous campaign, which closed in 1994. But years of accumulated needs, plus growing challenges ahead, demanded a more ambitious target: $1 billion.

Donors blew past that total in 2014, just three years after the campaign’s public launch.

So leaders set another goal, this one $1.5 billion—50 percent higher the first.

Three years later, alumni and friends took the campaign beyond that mark, too. By the time Forward Thinking closed Dec. 31, 2018, the effort had brought in $1.8 billion.

“The generosity of alumni, friends and philanthropic organizations is both extraordinary and inspiring,” President Barbara R. Snyder said at the time. “We are honored and humbled by this support, which already has made a significant positive impact on our university.”