NDSU’s alumni and friends provided a record $59.9 million in private gift support through the NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association in the year ending Dec. 31, 2017, making it the best year of philanthropy in NDSU history. The mark surpasses the previous record of $52.3 million secured in 2016.

Last year, NDSU benefactors gifted more than $47 million in cash and pledges. These gifts included $500,167 in cash donations received on NDSU Giving Day, a one-day, online fundraising campaign, and $461,661 raised during NDSU’s annual Bison Bidders Bowl. Support also included $12.38 million in deferred gift commitments and $200,000 in state matching funds made available through the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund. Nearly $22 million in new gifts was designated to the College of Health Professions’ Sudro Hall expansion project.

“We are grateful for the tremendous generosity of our alumni, friends and the state’s Challenge Fund,” NDSU President Dean Bresciani said. “NDSU’s benefactors are making a lasting impact on students’ lives and they’re empowering the university to build on its strengths as a student-focused, land-grant, research university.”

In addition to new gift support, the foundation transferred more than $8.24 million to the university in 2017. The transferred funds, comprised of spendable earnings from the foundation’s permanent endowment and expendable funds, support programs as intended by donors. About half of the funding, $4.1 million, was used to increase support for student scholarships during the 2017-18 school year. The remaining funds support faculty, the university’s colleges and departments and building and equipment needs.

The NDSU Foundation’s permanent endowment totaled $201.6 million on Dec. 31, 2017, compared to $166 million on Dec. 31, 2016.

“Thanks to NDSU’s generous benefactors, the foundation has concluded its most successful fundraising year ever,” said Steve Swiontek, chair of the foundation’s executive governing board. “NDSU’s supporters are excited to build on the university’s strengths and advance its mission and national standing. They share a larger vision for NDSU and their support is reflected in their incredible generosity.”

Here are the NDSU Foundation’s fundraising totals for the past five years:

·      FY17: $59.9 million

·      FY16: $52.3 million

·      FY15: $28.6 million

·      FY14: $39.0 million

·      FY13: $17.3 million

The NDSU Foundation builds enduring relationships that maximize advocacy and philanthropy in support of NDSU.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.