Utah State University Surpasses Fundraising Goals With $68.8 Million Raised – Utah State University
Business & Society
By Maren Aller |
From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, Utah State University achieved a remarkable fundraising milestone, securing $68.8 million through more than 29,500 contributions — a significant rise in donations since 2019. All gifts were part of the university’s ongoing “Create Your Aggie Impact” campaign, which focuses on strengthening programs, supporting students and expanding access to education.
This year also marked a record-breaking 15 seven-figure gifts, underscoring the transformational generosity of donors who are helping drive USU’s mission forward.
Gifts came from 9,587 donors, including more than $10.9 million from donations under $25,000, reflecting broad-based support from the USU community.
“Our donors are the foundation of our success,” said Matt White, vice president for advancement and president of the USU Foundation. “Their generosity directly strengthens programs, supports students and allows USU to reach further than ever. Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact.”
As part of this campaign, donors contributed $29 million toward “Building a University of Distinction.” A highlight of this donation area is the groundbreaking of a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic facility in Monument Valley, set to open in early 2026. Located near Monument Valley High School, this landmark — the first USU Statewide campus on tribal lands — will provide classrooms, labs, computer resources, career and technical training, and community spaces, expanding access to higher education and workforce development for the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
This project is made possible through donors like Joe and Anna Graf, whose generosity exemplifies how private giving fuels USU’s mission. Inspired by a shared belief in the transformative power of education, the Grafs are helping uplift an underserved community, demonstrating how philanthropy drives opportunity, growth and impact across the Four Corners region.
Additionally, $20.6 million was donated to “Accelerate Access and Opportunities” for students and $8.2 million to “Develop Solutions to the World’s Challenges” through research. More than $10.9 million was given to “Elevate the Educational Experience” by supporting faculty excellence. Within this area, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation made a transformational $5 million commitment to establish the Janet Q. Lawson Endowed Deanship in the newly merged S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The second deanship endowment in USU’s history, this gift provides perpetual support for the dean’s strategic priorities, advancing faculty research, student scholarships, fieldwork and community engagement — initiatives that deepen USU’s statewide impact.
Donor generosity has led to significant strides in supporting students, faculty and programs. This year, 107 new endowed scholarships were created, with 56 of those being first-time endowment donors. More than $4.3 million in endowed scholarships were distributed among 2,012 students. Expendable scholarships also provided more than $5.4 million in financial assistance to students.
Albert Shane, a USU alum from inner-city Philadelphia, credits his education with transforming his life. As the first in his family to attend college, his degree opened doors to a successful career in engineering and teaching, providing financial security and personal fulfillment. Reflecting on his journey, Albert chose to give back by establishing a scholarship endowment at USU to support financially disadvantaged students. Endowments allow donors like Albert to create a lasting legacy, transferring private resources to public good while realizing their gift will continue making an impact for years to come.
Donor support also fuels transformative student experiences. Geosciences major and Peak Summer Research Fellow Michelle Norman dedicated 10 weeks solely to research in Utah’s West Desert thanks to the Peak Summer Research Fellowship, an expendable scholarship established in 2019.
“The Peak Fellowship allowed me to fully immerse myself in my research and explore sites I never could have otherwise,” Norman said. “Their belief in undergraduates pursuing ambitious projects has been integral to my success.”
More than 875 USU faculty and staff contributed $1.5 million, demonstrating their dedication to the university.
Barbara ’14 and Craig ’86 Warnes support students through two scholarship endowments in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, from what began as small contributions through the annual giving campaign and employee payroll deductions. By budgeting even modest amounts through payroll donation programs, they exemplify how staff and faculty can make giving easy, intentional and transformative for generations of Aggies.
Alumni giving remains a cornerstone of support. Aggies contributed $21.5 million through 4,410 gifts, exemplified by Glenn ’67 and Anne Wilde. Deeply committed to USU’s mission, the Wildes fostered creativity, cultural understanding, and innovation through programs that have left a lasting legacy. Their efforts led to the establishment of the Fife Conference on Western American Folklore and Folklife, the Fife Folklore Archives, and the Brewer Festival of Writing, creating resources that benefit students, faculty and communities for generations. The Wildes also created graduate fellowship endowments, enabling students to conduct field research in folklore, preserving stories from rural communities across the West. Through their vision and philanthropy, Glenn and Anne demonstrate how alumni support can extend the reach of education, enrich cultural heritage, and provide meaningful opportunities for future generations.
USU received donations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 27 counties within Utah. The highest total amounts came from Salt Lake County with $15.2 million from 1,084 donors, Cache County with $11.7 million from 2,606 donors, and Sevier County with $3 million from 29 donors. Out-of-state donations were led by Idaho ($8.5 million), California ($4 million), and Kansas ($3.2 million). Aggie Family Scholarships also saw the creation of 13 new endowed scholarships totaling $390,000, plus a $275,000 match from an anonymous donor. The Aggie License Plate Scholarship Program has contributed $3.25 million to student scholarships over its lifetime.
“Every donation, whether large or small, is a vote of confidence in our students and our mission,” said USU interim President Alan L. Smith. “Our donors enable innovation, advance research, and open doors for students across the state, the nation and beyond. Their support transforms lives and strengthens communities.”
As part of this campaign, donors contributed $29 million toward “Building a University of Distinction.” A highlight of this donation area is the groundbreaking of a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic facility in Monument Valley, set to open in early 2026. This project is made possible through donors like Joe and Anna Graf, whose generosity exemplifies how private giving fuels USU’s mission.
Albert Shane, a USU alum from inner-city Philadelphia, credits his education with transforming his life. As the first in his family to attend college, his degree opened doors to a successful career in engineering and teaching, providing financial security and personal fulfillment. Reflecting on his journey, Albert chose to give back by establishing a scholarship endowment at USU to support financially disadvantaged students.
Donor support also fuels transformative student experiences. Geosciences major and Peak Summer Research Fellow Michelle Norman was able to dedicate ten weeks solely to research in Utah’s West Desert thanks to the Peak Summer Research Fellowship, an expendable scholarship established in 2019.
Barbara ’14 and Craig ’86 Warnes support students through two scholarship endowments in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, from what began as small contributions through the annual giving campaign and employee payroll deductions.
Alumni giving remains a cornerstone of support. Aggies contributed $21.5 million through 4,410 gifts, exemplified by Glenn ’67 and Anne Wilde. Deeply committed to USU’s mission, the Wildes fostered creativity, cultural understanding, and innovation through programs that have left a lasting legacy.
Maren Aller
Senior Writer
Advancement
(435) 797-1355
maren.aller@usu.edu
Janette Robbins
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications
Advancement
janette.robbins@usu.edu
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