The Missouri State University (MSU) Foundation has set a new fundraising record after collecting $25.8 million in donations for the 2021 fiscal year, surpassing the previous record by more than $3.1 million.
“It’s amazing but not surprising that we set this record during the pandemic. Our folks always come through when our students need them the most,” MSU President Clif Smart said in a news release.
Smart stated to the Springfield News-Leader that the university worked hard to keep going despite the pandemic and did not allow the sudden challenges to hinder its plans.
“We kept going. Very few things were put on the shelf,” he said.
According to the release, the donations would be used toward expanding the school’s “efactory”; funding an addition to the Blunt Center; supporting the John Goodman Amphitheatre; improving Greenwood Laboratory facilities; and providing new scholarships for College of Business students.
Alumni Support
MSU Foundation Executive Director Brent Dunn noted that the record was eclipsed through the generosity of 19,120 donors, an increase over the 2020 fiscal year.
“More people wanting to contribute and stay engaged allows us to do so much more for our students,” Dunn said.
The university has been a fundraising powerhouse and recent efforts are part of the Onward, Upward campaign launched in October 2019 to raise $250 million by the end of 2022.
As of now, $230 million has been pledged, which will mainly fund capital projects and new scholarships. MSU plans to hold a culmination event in October 2022 and expects fundraising chair and actor John Goodman to attend.