Boise State reports fundraising record; U of I giving falls from record pace

(UPDATED, 10:17 a.m., with fundraising totals from the University of Idaho.)

For the third consecutive year, Boise State University has set a fundraising record.

The university reported $61.3 million in philanthropic giving for the budget year ending June 30. That surpasses the previous year’s mark of $58.5 million.

Over the past year, Boise State has received contributions from 28,146 individual donors.

“These gifts positively impact individuals, often changing their lives for the better, and they also profoundly impact Idaho and our broader world,” Boise State President Marlene Tromp said in a news release Wednesday.

The record donations coincide with the launch of a five-year fundraising campaign, the largest in Boise State history.

The university has raised $346.9 million for Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State University. Boise State has earmarked $81.4 million from the campaign for student support, including nearly $60 million for endowed scholarships; $37.0 million for faculty and research; and $130.8 million for athletics.

“The ambitious goals of the Unbridled campaign have resonated with our alumni and donors, and many have embraced the matching programs for endowed scholarships and faculty positions to amplify the transformational impact of their gifts,” Boise State University Foundation CEO Matthew Ewing said Wednesday.

Boise State started the Unbridled campaign last fall, with $295 million already in hand.

University of Idaho giving totals

Meanwhile, the University of Idaho reported $52.5 million in philanthropic giving for 2023-24.

That’s a decrease from the previous year, when the U of I raised a record $57.5 million. However, it also marks the fourth successive year U of I fundraising has eclipsed the $50 million plateau.

In all, $17.2 million of the donations will go toward scholarships and student financial aid; $25.7 million will go into research, academics and faculty support; and $9.6 million will go toward libraries, facilities and operations, extension programs and other areas.  

“The impact of donors’ generosity can be seen not only across the U of I, but also in communities and industries throughout Idaho,” U of I President C. Scott Green said in a news release Thursday. Donor support makes it possible for more physicians, entrepreneurs, architects, teachers, engineers and many other professionals to help individuals thrive and economies to flourish.”

The U of I also is in the midst of a $500 million fundraising campaign, Brave. Bold. Unstoppable.

The U of I has raised $446 million for this campaign and hopes to hit its goal by the end of 2025.

 

 

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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