University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

UND Alumni Association & Foundation sets record for second year in a row

Donations to the University of North Dakota set a record in fiscal year 2020, which ended June 30. The UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF) says $80.1 million was committed by generous alumni, friends, businesses, and foundations. That surpasses the record of $67.7 million set the previous year.

“To say ‘Thank you’ to our donors hardly seems enough,” said UNDAFF CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink. “They have elevated this exceptional University to a whole new level, and it’s amazing to think that they gave to a record degree even with the coronavirus pandemic striking during the last quarter of the fiscal year.”

A highlight of the fiscal year was the successful effort to raise $50 million in private donations for a new Nistler College of Business & Public Administration. Those private gifts will be matched by $20 million in state funding. Groundbreaking for the building will take place in October.
The UND Endowment Fund finished the fiscal year at $278.3 million, down slightly from FY19, but the annual payout from the fund was a record $9.1 million for the benefit of UND students.

“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and sincere gratitude to the alumni and friends of the University of North Dakota who chose to support our University in such a generous manner, especially during these trying times,” said UND President Andy Armacost. “This is truly a shining example of what makes UND an outstanding institution.

“As Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero once said, ‘Friends are proved by adversity.’ It’s wonderful to have so many friends during so much adversity. It’s also an amazing tribute to our University’s alumni and supporters who’ve demonstrated their belief in what we do and their trust in our ability to move North Dakota and the nation toward a brighter future,” Armacost said.

The $80.1 million total includes direct gifts, pledges that will be fulfilled over a number of years, non-governmental research grants, and legacy gifts in which the University is named in a donor’s will.

Carlson Zink will give an in-depth look at how the record was achieved and the priorities for the nonprofit organization going forward during her annual State of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Address Tuesday, August 25, at noon. In consideration of the coronavirus pandemic, the Address this year will be held virtually with attendees joining a livestream of the presentation. Those interested in attending can register at UNDalumni.org/address.