The Boise State University Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of a vibrant group of community leaders who believe in the importance of higher education and in the vital role of Boise State University. Directors understand that philanthropy is an essential means by which the University sustains and enriches academic life and its purpose. Directors demonstrate that understanding by personally giving to the Foundation, encouraging others to join them and by creating long-lasting relationships with the University. Directors have an important fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of the Foundation assets and insure donor intent is honored.
Annual Report
Annual Report
Despite significant uncertainty and global economic disruptions, Boise State University donors increased their support of the university by more than $7.6 million during the 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. Learn more about the generosity of donors and impact on giving to student success in this year’s annual report.
Dear alumni and friends,
I am so proud of the accomplishments of Boise State University this year — of our trail-blazing teaching, invaluable service to our communities and record-breaking research. We have developed new strategies for how we do the work of a public university — from educating students and preparing them for the future to engaging with industry to supporting the thriving of Idaho and Idahoans.
Our “Blue Turf Thinking” has earned us recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative National Universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our iconic blue football field is a powerful metaphor for our unique approaches to solving complex problems.
“Donors who support students with their financial scholarship donations make a huge impact — without you, my educational dreams couldn’t have happened,” said scholarship recipient Catherine Isaak.
The investments you make in the work that takes place here every day is a resounding show of support for higher education, and an investment in our collective future. Your support helps our students succeed in college, so that they can contribute to their communities far beyond their time here. Thank you for being part of this dedicated, giving community.
Go Broncos!

Dr. Marlene Tromp
President
Boise State University
Dear friends,
The future of our university and great state remains bright despite the uncertainty we’ve all experienced this year. Times like these underscore the importance of your philanthropy and the impacts you’ve made on Boise State University and our students. Your support this fiscal year exceeded the previous one by $7.6 million, totaling more than $41.8 million in private support to the university.
Boise State is a place where students from every walk of life and academic discipline have the opportunity to go on to become leaders in their respective careers and communities. We are a place where top-flight faculty blaze new trails in their respective fields, and they’re working side by side with their students to address some of the most challenging questions facing society today. Thanks to your generosity, we’re seeing students have transformative academic experiences on campus that are preparing them for rewarding careers.
Your investment in endowed scholarships and programs, including the ones described in this report, supports research projects, student scholarships, campus facilities, academic programs, faculty and more at Boise State. Through these gifts, we can impact the lives of many students, our community, and beyond.
Because of your generosity, the Boise State Foundation now has total net assets of $215 million and distributed more than $13.5 million to the university in FY21 for scholarships, facilities, programs and faculty support.
Such performance reflects the sound guidance of the Foundation’s board of directors, our passionate volunteers who manage your investments with the highest fiscal responsibility and accountability to balance growth and sustainability for the benefit of this institution, its students and the communities it serves.
The impact of your gifts is so vital to our mission of educating tomorrow’s leaders.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Sincerely,

Matthew Ewing
Vice President
for University Advancement

Paul Powell
Executive Director
Boise State University Foundation, Inc.
24,200 Donors Gifted $41,881,765 in FY21
View the gallery to see more fast facts from FY21.
Where Did Donors Give in FY21?
Your philanthropic support of students, faculty and academic programming is essential to Boise State’s advancement as a metropolitan research university of distinction. Donors make the difference.
Meet Scholarship Recipient Catherine Isaac
After serving her country for 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, biology major Catherine Isaak will retire her military career in 2023 when she graduates from Boise State. She credits her reserve career in preparing her for this phase of her education, and life.
Meet Scholarship Recipient Angela Tracy
Over the summer, single mother of three and Boise State University nursing student Angela Tracy gets her daughters outside as much as she can. They hike and go paddleboarding on the river. “We take full advantage,” she said, but during the school year, things are different. On top of parenting and classes, she also works in oncology at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center.
Meet Donors John and Diane Crim
A retired accountant, John Crim often sees things through the lens of their return on investment. Ask him what makes Boise State University a good investment, and he’ll say it’s the pleasure of seeing its progress and maturing into excellence.
Over more than 30 years, he has given almost $850,000 to Boise State — to the Cecil D. Andrus Chair for Environment and Public Lands, the Andrus Scholars Fund, the Accounting Endowment-Scholarship and elsewhere.
Hansberger Chair Provides Business Ethics Excellence
The family of the late Idaho business icon Robert V. Hansberger has honored him by creating the Robert V. Hansberger Endowed Chair within the Boise State University College of Business and Economics. The $1.75 million gift establishes a permanently endowed fund for a business ethics chair position within the college — the first of its kind for Boise State.
Donors Step Up for Student-athletes Through Lyle Smith Society Campaign
In support of Boise State Athletics’ Lyle Smith Society campaign, a leadership giving society to support student athletes, 68 donors pledged more than $8.2 million in philanthropic support this fiscal year, including a $1 million anonymous gift that will improve student-athletes’ on-field and academic experiences. Boise State football head coach Andy Avalos and his wife, Summer, also joined the Lyle Smith Society this year.
Your Impact
- More than $41.8 Million in Fiscal Year 2021.
- Increased by $7.6 million.
- More than 83,000 gifts.
- 24,200 individual, corporate and foundation donors.
- Donors gave $8.6 million for immediate use and endowed scholarships, including $2.2 million in support of student-athlete scholarships.
- Nearly 63%, or 14,817 students, received some form of financial aid last year.
Foundation Financials
The Foundation’s condensed financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are presented in this section.
University Foundation Board of Directors

Charitable Estate Planning for Boise State
Gifts through charitable estate planning are often the largest gift a person can make.
By including Boise State programs in your charitable plans, you may create an impact that you have never thought possible.
Please reach out to one of our gift planning team members so you can learn more about simple steps you can make to include the university in your plans.
Currently, the Boise State Foundation has recorded 135 gifts from realized estates totaling $35 million in support of Boise State programs. Total giving of this same group during their lifetimes was $2 million — demonstrating that careful planning can provide gifts larger than they thought possible.
Contact the Gift Planning Office
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Jennifer Neil
Executive Director
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