Northwest Foundation reports successful FY23, maintains focus on scholarship funding

Northwest Foundation Inc., the fundraising arm of Northwest Missouri State University, achieved one of its most successful fundraising years during the last five decades while supporting continued upgrades to campus facilities and scholarship funding.

The Foundation secured $6.6 million in total giving during Fiscal Year 2023, which ended June 30. The total, which is a 12 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, is the fourth-highest amount raised by the Foundation in the last 20 years and the fifth-highest since the Foundation was established in 1972. The Northwest Foundation has raised about $12.5 million in the two years since the completion of its highly successful Forever Green campaign, which ended with $55 million raised. 

Scholarship support, which remains a central mission of the Foundation, totaled nearly $1.5 million and funded 1,467 scholarship awards to Northwest students during the last fiscal year. Total scholarship funding through the Foundation increased for the fifth consecutive year, while the average scholarship amount awarded from donor-funded scholarships during FY23 was $1,013.

Furthermore, the Foundation facilitated the creation of 11 endowed scholarships, which are established through gifts totaling a minimum of $25,000.

Mitzi Marchant, the vice president of university advancement at Northwest and executive director of the Northwest Foundation, expressed her thanks to the thousands of donors and volunteers who continue to support Northwest and bolster opportunities for the University’s students.

“The unwavering support of our generous donors has been a cornerstone to Northwest’s continued growth and success,” Marchant said. “On behalf of the University’s students, faculty and staff as well as the Northwest Foundation, I thank our donors for believing in Northwest’s mission and empowering the future of education.”

Additionally, the Foundation provided about $5.5 million to the University as direct and indirect support of various needs in FY23. An example of those needs include the April completion of a $1.3 million remodel of the third floor of Martindale Hall. The renovation project to uplift Northwest’s School of Health Science and Wellness was the first phase in a longer-term goal of enhancing the entire facility.

Donors also contributed significantly to a nearly $2-million renovation of the McKemy Center for Lifelong Learning, which will help Northwest expand its agricultural science program offerings and enhance the workforce for manufacturing and agribusiness industry clusters.

Further illustrating the Foundation’s growth in FY23, The 1905 Society, which recognizes supporters who make an annual unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more, increased to 177 members. Meanwhile, the Foundation’s annual giving program raised about $487,000.

During its third annual Bearcat Day of Green in March, Northwest alumni and friends devoted 1,905 minutes to raising support for the University. The campaign raised $99,825 through 290 gifts dedicated to initiatives within the areas of academics, athletics, campus beautification, diversity and inclusion, and student life as well as KXCV-KRNW, Martindale Hall, the Northwest Fund and scholarships.

Additionally, last spring, for the ninth 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-one percent of the total funds raised by the Foundation during FY23 were cash gifts, while a total of 4,563 donors contributed to Northwest initiatives. In all, the Foundation’s total assets under management amount to about $45.5 million, while its endowment stands at about $34.3 million.

Separately, the Northwest Alumni Association recorded nearly 6,000 attendees at 128 association-sponsored engagement activities throughout the country during FY23, and alumni gave their time to the University by totaling 1,857 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.