2019
Year in Review
NDSU Foundation
Philanthropy in Action
Thanks to the generosity of benefactors, the NDSU Foundation is proud to announce a historic year of fundraising. Philanthropic support reached an unprecedented $160 million in new gifts and commitments in 2019 because of support from alumni and friends like you. This success would not be possible without the continued commitment of many.
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani discusses a record year of fundraising and the public campaign launch with John R. Glover, NDSU Foundation president/CEO.
Lauren Sampson discusses the impact scholarships have had on her educational experience at NDSU.
Ying Huang shares how being the Welch fellow effects research, teaching, and outreach at NDSU.
Dean Charles Peterson talks about the opening of Aldevron Tower and how new facilities enhance education at NDSU.
Scott Beaulier, Ronald & Kaye Olson Dean of Business, discusses the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute and how programs influence research and education at NDSU.
Director of Athletics at NDSU Matt Larsen shares how philanthropy supports excellence on the field, court, and mat and in the classroom.
NDSU Foundation reports historic fundraising year in 2019
February 7, 2020
Fargo, N.D. — Building on achievements of the previous three years, philanthropy through the North Dakota State University Foundation reached an unprecedented milestone in 2019, recording more than $160 million in new gifts and commitments. Yes, you read that right, $160 million.
Fueled by the public launch of In Our Hands: The Campaign for North Dakota State University, the Foundation bested its previous high of $59.9 million set in 2017. The new support included more than $37 million in cash gifts and more than $56.6 million in pledge commitments, benefiting every area of campus. Other philanthropic support included more than $62 million in deferred gifts and more than $5.2 million in gifts in kind.
In October, the university publicly launched In Our Hands, a $400 million comprehensive campaign to support and enhance the student experience. This is the largest fundraising effort in North Dakota higher education history.
The campaign’s advanced gift phase began Jan. 1, 2016. As of Dec. 31, 2019, the campaign raised more than $352.7 million, putting the campaign’s completion two years ahead of schedule.
The campaign counts all gifts and commitments received through the NDSU Foundation and Team Makers, the annual fundraising organization for NDSU athletics.
“I am gratified by the incredible generosity of our donors and their commitment to help transform the lives of our students,” NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani said. “I very much appreciate that our donors believe in the mission of North Dakota State University — to improve the lives of students and citizens across the state, region and nation. The success of the In Our Hands campaign is extremely exciting.”
More than 11,000 benefactors have contributed to the campaign since the start of the advanced gifts phase.
“I am gratified by the incredible generosity of our donors and their commitment to help transform the lives of our students,” NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani said. “I very much appreciate that our donors believe in the mission of North Dakota State University — to improve the lives of students and citizens across the state, region and nation. The success of the In Our Hands campaign is extremely exciting.”
More than 11,000 benefactors have contributed to the campaign since the start of the advanced gifts phase.
“It’s exciting that we’ve engaged a broad spectrum of people and a lot of the people who’ve been very successful appreciate what NDSU did for them early on with their education and their career and have given back in a very big way,” Mike Krueger ’71, chair of the NDSU Foundation’s executive governing board, said. “The size of In Our Hands and its success means students, for a long, long time, are going to be feeling the benefits of this campaign.”
In Our Hands campaign co-chairs Robert ’67 and Sheila Challey announced a leadership gift of $75 million at the public launch event.
The commitment includes a number of projects, such as the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, scholarship and faculty support for the Challey School of Music, and future projects to be determined.
In Our Hands campaign co-chairs Steve ’78 and Mary Anne ’77 Swiontek have also provided significant support to NDSU, and they helped to facilitate Gate City Bank’s unique low-interest financial gift to support Aldevron Tower, valued at more than $2.5 million.
“The Challeys’ and Swionteks’ support has catalyzed this campaign to another level,” John R. Glover, president and CEO of the NDSU Foundation, said. “We are grateful for their tremendous support and how they all continue to inspire others to get involved.”
The Foundation’s endowment, which ensures a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding, is also growing dramatically. As of Dec. 31, 2019, the endowment value was more than $248 million, increasing more than $41 million from the prior year.
The endowment has been fueled by new gifts and strong returns over the past four years, nearly doubling in value ($134 million as of Dec. 31, 2015).
In 2019, the Foundation transferred more than $25.4 million to campus, an increase of more than $11 million from 2018.
The transferred funds, comprised of spendable endowment earnings and expendable funds, included more than $5.9 million for student scholarships, $1.8 million to support faculty, $1.7 in support of programs and $16 million for facilities.
In January 2020, students, faculty, and staff from NDSU’s College of Health Professions moved into Aldevron Tower, a 74,000-square foot, $28 million all-privately financed addition to Sudro Hall. This facility will revolutionize the way health professionals are educated and trained at NDSU by providing team-based care teaching in state-of-the-art facilities. The official building dedication is scheduled for May 1, 2020.
Campaign Review
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani and NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover reflect on the public launch of In Our Hands: The Campaign for North Dakota State University and a historic fundraising year at the NDSU Foundation. In Our Hands, a multi-year $400 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, will enhance every corner of the NDSU student experience. Working together, we will build a stronger future for NDSU, the state and region, and beyond.
Scholarships
Lauren Sampson, a senior mathematics and music major at NDSU, joins NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover to discuss the impact scholarships have had on her educational experience. We believe every student should have access to an NDSU education regardless of their financial situation — those who lead us into the future should not be obstructed by the burdens of today. Through your support of scholarship funds, you can make a student’s dream of an NDSU education come true.
Faculty
NDSU would not be the place it is without its heart and soul — the faculty. Ying Huang, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Welch Faculty Fellow, speaks with NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover about the importance of faculty support and how the fellowship impacts NDSU, its students, and the community. Fellowships and named faculty endowments give NDSU professors the resources they need to advance education, research, and outreach. By supporting one faculty member, you’re directly impacting hundreds of student lives and making a world of difference.
Facilities
Dean Charles Peterson from the College of Health Professions talks with NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover about the opening of Aldevron Tower and how new facilities enhance education at NDSU. Philanthropy has long been important to the excellence of North Dakota State University. In fact, the first major fundraising drive more than 70 years ago was to support a building project. In January 2020, students in the College of Health Professions moved into Aldevron Tower, a 74,000-square foot, $28 million all-privately financed addition to Sudro Hall. Supporting facility projects transforms the learning, discovery, living, and performing environments for NDSU students.
Programs
Scott Beaulier, Ronald & Kaye Olson Dean of Business, discusses the importance of philanthropy to create opportunities that enhance education as he sits down with NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover. Student needs are constantly evolving, so we recognize the importance of expanding and sustaining programs at NDSU. A single experience can shape the trajectory of a student’s life. With your support of programs, we can create innovative experiences that build professional skills, foster a global perspective, and develop strong leaders.
Athletics
NDSU Director of Athletics Matt Larsen talks about the success of Team Makers in 2019, the Drive for Five campaign, and why philanthropy is vital to excellence on and off the field as he joins NDSU Foundation President and CEO John R. Glover. Since the advanced gifts phase of In Our Hands, benefactors have raised more than $71 million for student-athlete scholarships, facilities, and programs. By supporting student-athletes, you’re investing in the continued tradition of success and excellence to build champions for life.