Bushnell University Launches $36 Million Fundraiser
The campaign will expand regional healthcare training capacity and student facilities in Eugene.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Bushnell University has launched a $36 million fundraising campaign, dubbed Venture Further, to finance facility upgrades and student programming. The initiative, which has secured over $11 million in initial commitments, includes a record $1 million gift from the OCCU Foundation to build a new healthcare simulation lab.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to bolster local healthcare workforce development by upgrading medical training facilities and expanding academic infrastructure in Eugene. For area businesses, this shift signifies an increase in specialized education capacity that may eventually alter the local labor talent pipeline.
The Venture Further campaign seeks $36 million total, with $11 million already pledged against the goal. The $1 million OCCU Foundation donation is specifically earmarked for a new simulation center within the building acquired from PeaceHealth in 2025.
The players
Bushnell University
A private, Eugene-based higher education institution with a 131-year history.
OCCU Foundation
The charitable arm of an Oregon-based credit union focused on supporting community health and education infrastructure.
PeaceHealth
A non-profit Catholic health system that serves communities across the Pacific Northwest and provided the facility to the university.
The details
The campaign targets three primary areas: $14 million for the College of Health Professions, $17 million for student life and athletics, and $5 million for scholarships. The OCCU Foundation grant will facilitate the buildout of a medical lab that mirrors current hospital layouts, providing a practical setting for student training. These investments follow the 2025 acquisition of the Bushnell Health and Science Center, providing the physical footprint necessary to expand clinical programs.
Timeline
2025: The university acquired the Bushnell Health and Science Center building from PeaceHealth.
October 24, 2026: The university launched the Venture Further campaign with $11 million in committed funds.
Market Landscape
The campaign follows the pattern set by the 2025 acquisition of the Bushnell Health and Science Center to expand the university's medical footprint. It marks a shift toward integrating specialized healthcare simulation into standard institutional facility planning.
Local employers should monitor the growth of the College of Health Professions as it scales to meet regional demand for healthcare workers. Business owners can track the campaign progress to gauge future shifts in the local supply of qualified clinical talent.
The takeaway
The institution is prioritizing capital-intensive health science upgrades to compete in the regional labor market. Operators should observe the development of the simulation center as a signal of local training capacity that may influence recruitment strategies for healthcare roles.
Further reading
Learn more about local institutional development in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KEZI-TV 9.
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