Utah State University Creates Aggie Impact With $57 Million Fundraising Year

Utah State University garnered an impressive $57 million in donations from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, demonstrating strong support with more than 25,800 generous contributions. Donations to USU have been on a remarkable upward trend, with the average annual fundraising amount more than doubling since 2018.

In the past year, USU received invaluable support from 8,580 donors, all of whom played a pivotal role in advancing the institution’s educational mission. Remarkably, this impact was amplified by an impressive number of nearly $10 million in gifts, each under $25,000, showcasing the widespread commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the institution.

“Every donor creates meaningful impact and, this year, we are particularly grateful for the incredible number of people who have chosen to give to Utah State,” said Matt White, vice president for Advancement and president of the USU Foundation. “Their contributions, when combined, provide essential financial support, promote engagement and loyalty and contribute to a culture of philanthropy among our Aggies.”

Creating Aggie Impact

Since launching the Create Your Aggie Impact, university-wide, initiative-driven fundraising campaign in fall 2022, many university donors created impact in a variety of ways.

More than $33.8 million was raised for “Building a University of Distinction.”

For alum Mary Heers ’86, giving to the university, in particular to the Caine Lyric Repertory Company, was something that felt important to her. Heers, alongside her husband, Art, provided the lead gift to the Caine Lyric Theatre’s critically needed restoration.

“I love meeting the students who work at the Lyric, many of whom receive scholarships,” Mary said. “A highlight of the year is sitting down to dinner with the students and hearing their stories. Art and I both know that every penny that goes into supporting a scholarship is money well spent because it is so appreciated.”

In addition, $14.9 million was donated to “Accelerate Access and Opportunities” for students and $5.8 million was given to “Develop Solutions to the World’s Challenges” through research and innovation. Finally, donors provided more than $2.7 million in funding to “Elevate the Educational Experience” for our students by supporting faculty excellence.

Scholarship and Academic Support

Thanks to the generosity of USU donors, many students, faculty and programs received private support. A total of 81 new endowed scholarships were created. More than $4 million in endowed scholarship funding was awarded this year, supporting 1,835 students. The number of first-time endowment donors was 62.

USU scholarship endowments allow the university to maintain its excellence in academics beyond what can be accomplished with funding from the state. Charitable donations from alumni, friends and family of the university are the primary source of funds for the endowments that are becoming increasingly critical as they provide the funds for scholarships, professorships and programs so vitally important to student and faculty recruitment and retention.

USU student Emma Margetts, a fifth-generation Aggie pursuing a degree in law and constitutional studies in the Department of Political Science and a minor in international studies said that giving to scholarships is the best way to help a student out.

“I have been fortunate enough to receive scholarships through USU and it has allowed me to focus on my studies,” Margetts said. “The scholarships greatly impact my education as I want to go to law school and not being in debt is a really big deal to me.”

Another form of support for students comes from expendable scholarships, with more than $5 million provided to help 2,484 students. A total of 31 expendable scholarship agreements were created.

University-Wide Support

In addition to their hard work and dedication to the university, more than 534 generous USU faculty and staff collectively contributed an impressive $2.5 million.

Alumni Support

As always, Aggies continue to provide financial support to the institution with more than 4,000 alumni donors giving $20.3 million.

Alum Rangesan (Rang) Narayanan ’73, ’76 Ph.D., is one such alum who created an endowment in memory of his wife, Judi ’77 Ph.D., who died in 2020. The Judi Houston Rangesan and Rangesan Narayanan Endowment will be used to support student research associated with USU’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute of Land, Water, and Air. The endowment was inspired by the incredible faculty members who helped them discover their professional passions and interests.

“I felt it was important to honor Judi’s legacy, but also wanted to thank the many faculty members who worked with us over the years,” Narayanan said.

Aggies in Utah also show pride on the road through the Aggie License Plate Scholarship Program, that, over its lifetime, has generated $2.76 million for student scholarships.

Support from In-State and Out-of-State Donors

Utah State received donations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 27 counties within the state of Utah. The highest total amount within the state came from Cache County, with $10.5 million from 2,627 donors. Coming in second was Salt Lake County, raising a total $10.4 million from 764 donors. Rounding out the top three was Davis County, bringing in $3 million in gifts from 561 donors.

Donors around the United States boosted out-of-state giving this year. The top three states for largest amount donated were California, with $4.5 million; Idaho, with $4 million; and Washington, with $3.1 million.

USU President Elizabeth Cantwell expressed her appreciation for university supporters who help position the institution for continued growth and advancement.

“Donors are pivotal to our ability to lead and advance the institution,” Cantwell said. “Thanks to their generous contributions, we are able to leverage our vast expertise to drive innovation and research, create and nurture strong partnerships, and develop ethical leaders and a skilled workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”