A record-shattering fundraising year
UND Alumni Association & Foundation secures nearly $120 million in gifts during 2025; endowment now exceeds half a billion dollars
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation had “shattered” previous fundraising records, securing $119.95 million in gifts during the 2025 calendar
year.
CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink made the announcement during the 2026 State of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Address, held Jan. 29 at the Gorecki Alumni Center in Grand Forks.
“I am absolutely thrilled, humbled, and overjoyed to announce that in the calendar year 2025, our alumni and friends have not just broken our previous fundraising record, they have shattered it,” Carlson Zink told the audience of alumni and university leaders.
“This is historic. This is transformational. This is legacy.”
The previous fundraising record was $100.5 million set in fiscal year 2024.
By the numbers: A historic year
The $119.95 million total was fueled by 11,294 donors, who made a total of more than 13,600 gifts. The organization also saw a significant surge in new support, with 2,755 first-time donors contributing in 2025 — a 54% increase over the previous 12-month reporting period.
Included in the total was strong support across all key areas of the university:
- $34.2 million for facilities
- $32.4 million for student support
- $29.6 million for faculty and programs
- $23.7 million for priority needs
Endowment surpasses half a billion dollars
Carlson Zink also revealed that the UND Alumni Association & Foundation’s endowment has reached a new all-time high of $510.7 million. This growth
allowed for a payout to UND of $15.3 million in 2025 to support scholarships, faculty and research, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
“A healthy endowment is the engine that powers your legacy and secures UND’s future,” Carlson Zink said. “It empowers our university to provide an exceptional education that enriches lives today, while ensuring your values continue to shape North Dakota and the world for generations to come.”
The address also highlighted several major capital projects supported by donor funding, including:
- Completed in 2025: The Nodak Insurance Company Sports Performance Center
- 2025 Groundbreaking: Phase one of the UND STEM Complex, which will serve more than 40% of the student body
- Future Vision: A proposed Health Professions Collaborative Facility to house the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines and expand biomedical research capabilities. This facility requires legislative approval and partnership.
Today’s event marks the first time the organization has reported its financial results on a calendar year basis, a shift designed to align with State Board of Higher Education regulations for audit reporting and better reflect donor giving patterns.
