Despite significant uncertainty and global economic disruptions, Boise State University donors increased their support of the university by more than $7.6 million during fiscal year 2021, giving $41.8 million in philanthropic support this year. The increase is the result of more than 83,000 gifts from 24,500 individual, corporate and foundation donors.
“We are grateful for the investments our donors have made in the incredible work and impact of Boise State this year, and we truly appreciate their resounding support of higher education,” said Boise State President Marlene Tromp. “Our students are truly our future. Investing in Boise State helps them to share their talents with the world, and makes both them and our state more financially sound.”
Improving educational access and student success continue to be priorities for the university and many donors. Donors gave $8.6 million for immediate use and endowed scholarships to Boise State students this year, including $2.2 million in support of student-athletes. Nearly 63%, or 14,817 students, received some form of financial aid last year.
About 73% of Boise State students are Idaho residents, and nearly three-quarters of them rely on some form of financial aid. Boise State’s True Blue Promise Scholarship and the President’s True Blue Endowed Scholarship provide four year scholarships for Idaho residents. Ensuring that great potential is not left unrealized because of an inability to bear the cost of a university education aligns with Boise State’s vision of access for students. Helping to recognize Idahoans’ great potential, the Kem Gardner family gifted $200,000 toward the True Blue Promise Scholarship.
“The success of Boise State’s fundraising efforts during the unprecedented pandemic year is attributed directly to our donors,” said Vice President for Advancement Matthew Ewing. “Boise State donors continue to make bold investments in our students, faculty and programs that directly impact lives by creating opportunities for innovation and success across the state and beyond.”
Talented professors — the consummate ones who help educate students, improve society and leave a legacy with their innovation and knowledge — are some of the greatest resources of any university. Donor support of endowed faculty positions allows colleges to recruit and retain top-flight faculty who inspire and lead. The family of the late Idaho business icon Robert V. Hansberger understood this, and created the Robert V. Hansberger Endowed Chair in business ethics within the Boise State University College of Business and Economics with a $1.75 million gift. Also in support of Boise State faculty, a $350,000 gift from Dr. Ted Obenchain to the Department of Biological Sciences will help fund research into developmental biology.
In support of Boise State Athletics’ Lyle Smith Society campaign, a leadership giving society to support student-athletes, 70 donors pledged more than $8.2 million in philanthropic support, including a $1 million anonymous gift that will improve student-athletes on-field and academic experiences.
When businesses and the university work together, they build partnerships that foster innovation, advance research and engage talent. Generous support from Boise State’s corporate and foundation partners produced results this year that will economically impact the state, region and world.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust invested $320,400, matched by the university, to advance nanomaterial research by buying an Atomic Force Microscopy–Infrared Spectroscopy system for the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, located in the Micron Center for Materials Research.
The Boise State University Institute for Inclusive and Transformative Scholarship launched the Micron Academy for Inclusive Leadership in fall of 2020. Thanks to a $500,000 gift from the Micron Foundation, institute fellows are paired with Micron and Boise State mentors to develop programming designed to build community and support students as inclusive leaders.
In partnership with Boise State’s Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), Micron Technology is constructing a riverside channel valued at $1.7 million at the Diane Moore Nature Center: IBO on the River. In its 26th year, with operations in seven states and five countries, the IBO is an important part of the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Boise State alumni, parents and friends – the donors who generously support student success, program development and faculty achievement — understand how private support impacts the student academic experience. To recognize their generosity, Boise State’s giving societies honor donors who’ve made a significant impact.
This year, 3,201 members of the university’s President’s Club, Boise State’s annual giving society recognizing donors who give $1,000 or more annually, gave $24.1 million.
Twenty-two new members of the Barnwell Society will be inducted this year, recognizing donors who have chosen to give $9.8 million this year to Boise State through their deferred charitable estate plans.
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Boise State’s Chaffee Guild society will recognize 40 new members whose cumulative lifetime giving exceeds $100,000. The Chaffee Guild is named in honor of Boise State President Eugene B. Chaffee and Lois Chaffee, the university’s first philanthropists.
Through our nearly 100 years as an institution serving as a catalyst for success, we know that Broncos will continue to join together in extraordinary ways to fulfill our educational missions. The generosity of our alumni and friends has, and continues to help those in need at Boise State. Please make an impactful gift and continue the Boise State tradition of giving in support of other members of the Bronco Family.
Donations to Boise State University qualify for a 50% tax credit — a reduction in the actual tax you owe. If you itemize your taxes, a donation to Boise State allows income tax deductions on both your state and federal returns, plus a 50% Idaho income tax credit. Learn more below.
Join our email list and get our latest issue of Advancing Boise State from Vice President for University Advancement Matthew Ewing delivered to your inbox each month. In each issue, you will hear about individuals — like you — making a difference, the impact of giving, and stories of interest to alumni, donors, and fans of Boise State.
Bronco Giving Day is a 36-hour giving campaign that provides simple online access for donors to support several critical initiatives within colleges, athletics, departments and other areas. The fourth annual Bronco Giving Day will be held on March 3–4, 2022.
