ASU Foundation sets fundraising record, generates more than $220 million for university's programs and services

Record amount of private support follows public launch of Campaign ASU 2020

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Jul 13, 2017, 11:00 ET

TEMPE, Ariz., July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the launch of Campaign ASU 2020, a comprehensive resource-raising effort to sustain and grow Arizona State University's educational activities, the ASU Foundation announced the completion of a record year in fundraising for programs, research and services at the university.

At the close of the 2017 fiscal year, early estimates show private donors contributed more than $220 million for ASU to enable access and excellence within higher education.

As part of Campaign ASU 2020, donors contributed a record $220 million in FY2017 to support the university's programs, research and services.

"We're trying to build something that the university needs going forward, which is a culture of philanthropy," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "All great universities in the United States are built around philanthropy."

"This strong momentum indicates that our community is growing in its understanding of the value of private support to the university – and of the value of the university in society," said R.F. "Rick" Shangraw, Jr., chief executive officer of ASU Enterprise Partners, the parent organization to the ASU Foundation.

Campaign ASU 2020 focuses on six priorities, but donors can choose from 5,000 specific areas to make an impact.

"I believe ASU is a major life force in our community, and I want to do my part to help it thrive," said Jeremy Meek '09, a donor and President's Club Young Leader. He is one of more than 100,000 individual, corporate and foundation supporters to give to ASU this year.

Though private support is not a replacement for public funding, it provides the margin of excellence that allows scholars' experiences to transform from good to great.

Around 8,000 students receive scholarships enabled by private donors each year. Other beneficiaries include the reinvented Sun Devil Stadium, mid-career professionals hoping to transition to teaching and the student-run, free clinic for the homeless in downtown Phoenix.

"We are so grateful for our donors," said ASU Foundation CEO Gretchen Buhlig. "They are genuinely doing good in the world through the research they enable and the programs that help our students who might not otherwise attend or graduate from college."

The ASU Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the mission of ASU as a New American University. It consistently received the highest ranking for efficiency and transparency from Charity Navigator, the largest independent non-profit evaluator.

CONTACT:
Beth Giudicessi
[email protected]

SOURCE Arizona State University Foundation