At the NDSU Foundation, we believe in connecting those who are passionate about NDSU; developing partnerships involving teamwork, accountability, and transparency to improve lives and outcomes of North Dakotans and the world; and stewardship, communication, and service to advance the mission of our student-focused, land-grant, research university.

With tremendous gratitude to our alumni and friends, the North Dakota State University Foundation has elevated its philanthropic impact to new heights thanks to the rousing, record-setting success of In Our Hands: The Campaign for North Dakota State University (2016-2020).

When the last gift is counted on December 31, 2021, more than $460 million (final number to be updated in February 2022) will have been raised in six years to support all of campus, far exceeding our original $400 million goal and seven-year timeline. In the process, a new standard of engagement, performance and impact has emerged, positioning the Foundation for even greater possibilities to make a difference.

At the end of the day, it is our students, faculty, programs, and citizens of North Dakota and beyond that benefit from alumni and friends who connect, advocate for, and give back. Philanthropy is a vital revenue source to advance the missions and goals of nearly all colleges and universities in the United States.

Now, we direct our attention to the next three years, 2022-2024, with goals to sustain momentum and expand our mission impact: Forging Connections, Fostering Support, Facilitating Outcomes, and Once A Bison, Always a Bison.

Broader context is important in setting the stage. The national landscape for public higher education faces numerous challenges and opportunities; NDSU is no exception. There are those who question the value proposition of a four-year degree and the costs associated with obtaining it. Student loan debt incurred continues to be a barrier to helping new generations of alumni get a productive start to their personal and professional journeys. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting how education is delivered, how people engage, and how they work. State appropriations continue to remain flat at best, if not trending downward.

And, then there are looming demographic shifts, which result in lower numbers of traditional age college students entering the marketplace. Competition for student enrollment is fierce and will only intensify. While philanthropic support from benefactors has grown dramatically in recent years, most of these gifts are designated for specific purposes according to donor intent. More and more, universities are seeking unrestricted resources — from anywhere — to recruit and retain students, balance budgets, and relieve day-to-day operational costs that state appropriations and tuition are unable to cover.

It is essential for the Foundation, alumni, and friends to acknowledge and understand these changing dynamics in higher education and be prepared to adapt and respond to what NDSU’s future needs will be. Lastly, as we support the arrival of new university leadership in 2022, we look forward to an opportunity to work together in setting an expanded agenda for NDSU’s future.

A longer-term view of what NDSU needs over time has been contemplated in the development of the following three-year strategic plan for the Foundation; however, the plan will remain flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the university’s goals. NDSU’s 2021-2026 strategic plan, “Our Future: Innovation, Outreach and Education” is one roadmap we considered in the plan’s development.

A second report we evaluated was the post-campaign assessment conducted by BWF, our campaign counsel for In Our Hands.

At the end of the day, our accomplishments will be measured by outstanding performance in areas of support to campus, growing resource generation, enhanced financial position, and vibrant staff and Trustees all working in alignment to advance the Foundation’s mission.

The NDSU Foundation takes seriously its strategic partnership with NDSU, and we will be a catalyst for fostering meaningful connections and inspiring enduring generosity so that the University is empowered to honor its founding purpose, deliver on its mission, and flourish.