Record philanthropic support propels NAU’s Elevated Excellence
Dear Lumberjacks,
I am thrilled to share that NAU just achieved the highest annual fundraising milestone in our 122-year history! In total, NAU raised more than $21.5 million in public and private philanthropic donations in fiscal year 2022, a 34 percent increase over the $16.1 million raised in fiscal year 2021 and a 5 percent increase over our previous record of $20.5 million in 2020.
This is a testament to the energy and enthusiasm of our donors, alumni, employees, parents, students, and community partners who are inspired by the vision and mission of the New NAU. I want to share my special thanks to our NAU Advancement | Foundation staff for their tireless work this year and our NAU Foundation and Alumni Association Boards for their advocacy and volunteer leadership to advance the excellence of this great university.
The collective support we generated will empower the success of our students and contribute to the impact of our scholarly and service endeavors that broaden knowledge and enrich lives. Highlights of the year include a record NAU Giving Day, with a specific focus on student emergency assistance funds; the naming of the Kitt School of Music; investments in our Indigenous students and faculty, including a new endowed professorship, funding for the Institute for Tribal and Environmental Professionals (ITEP), and a student internship program; the completion of our All-Steinway School designation; the Franke family’s investment to expand the Arizona teacher workforce, including “Grow Your Own” programs; contributions to the new Student Athlete High Performance Center; and many more.
This show of dedication is especially noteworthy given the reinvigorated mission of our university as articulated in NAU 2025 – Elevating Excellence. It is indicative of the power of the collective vision we share to drive social impact and economic mobility, serving our students, our communities, and the state of Arizona. As we undertake the bold and ambitious work of Elevating Excellence, we know we can rely on a robust community of support that will propel our university to new heights.
Please join me in thanking all who contributed generously to NAU this past year, including many of you, our dedicated Lumberjack faculty and staff! Your support will build on our legacy of excellence and secure a boundless future for generations of Lumberjacks to come.
With gratitude,
José Luis Cruz Rivera
President