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Northwest Foundation Inc., the fundraising arm of Northwest Missouri State University, maintained its focus on scholarship funding during Fiscal Year 2024 in addition to continuing its support of upgrades to campus facilities.
The Foundation secured $5.7 million in total giving during FY2024, which ended June 30.
“Our donors’ generosity plays a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of our students and the broader community,” said Michael Johnson, who returned to Northwest in August as vice president of university advancement at Northwest and executive director of the Northwest Foundation. Through scholarships, we are able to empower talented and deserving students to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. Together we are fostering a culture of excellence, opportunity, and transformation of Northwest Missouri State University. We thank all of our donors and friends for their continued support and for helping make important opportunities possible at Northwest.”
Scholarship support, which remains a central mission of the Foundation, totaled nearly $1.4 million and funded 1,437 scholarship awards to Northwest students during the last fiscal year. The average scholarship amount awarded from donor-funded scholarships during FY24 was $974.
Furthermore, the Foundation facilitated the creation of 15 endowed scholarships, established through gifts totaling a minimum of $25,000.
Additionally, the Foundation provided about $4.9 million to the University as direct and indirect support for various needs in FY24. An example of those needs includes the remodel and expansion of Martindale Hall, for which the Foundation raised more than $1 million during the last year to achieve its goal for the project.
The 1905 Society, which recognizes supporters who make an annual unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more, increased to 195 members. Meanwhile, the Foundation’s annual giving program raised about $438,000.
During its fourth annual Bearcat Day of Green last March, Northwest alumni and friends devoted 1,905 minutes to raising support for the University. The campaign inspired 345 donors to give funds totaling $111,725 for University initiatives, an increase of nearly 12 percent from the total raised during the previous year’s funding drive.
Donors supported initiatives to boost scholarships, academics and Bearcat athletics. Donors also provided funding to the Northwest Fund, an unrestricted fund that supports the University’s most significant needs, as well as initiatives such as the Martindale Hall renovation project, multiculturalism, Bearcats Helping Bearcats, campus beautification projects and KXCV-KRNW radio.
Northwest students decorated the J.W. Jones Student Union last spring with notes of gratitude last to alumni and friends who contribute to the University in support of scholarships, campus facilities and other initiatives during “Thank a Donor Day.” (Photo by Lauren Adams/Northwest Missouri State University)
Also last spring, for the 10th consecutive year, Northwest students celebrated alumni and friends who contribute generously to the University in support of scholarships, campus facilities and the value of a college degree during “Thank a Donor Day.”
Eighty-four percent of the total funds raised by the Foundation during FY24 were cash gifts, while a total of 4,130 donors contributed to Northwest initiatives. In all, the Foundation’s total assets under management amount to about $50.7 million, while its endowment stands at about $38.8 million.
Separately, the Northwest Alumni Association recorded about 4,500 attendees at 113 association-sponsored engagement activities throughout the country during FY24, and alumni gave their time to the University by totaling 1,739 volunteer hours. The University counts about 80,000 alumni and friends as members of the Northwest Alumni Association.
The Northwest Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, develops and stewards philanthropic resources for the benefit of Northwest Missouri State University and its students. It is governed by a 36-member volunteer board and staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement.
To make a gift to support Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.
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Northwest Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disability and veteran employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex in our education programs or activities, pursuant to Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106. For more information, visit Northwest’s Non-Discrimination Policy.

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