Contributions to Boise State University from alumni, friends and industry partners set new philanthropic records in fiscal year 2022, which ended June 30. The university received more than $56.5 million in gifts, exceeding the previous year’s total by nearly $15 million.
“Boise State’s electrifying trajectory in research, graduation numbers, and service to our state — in economic impact and through our research and graduates — have been given rocket fuel by our generous partners in industry and through private philanthropy,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “Their support has been absolutely essential, and will help us take more giant leaps as we work together to advance Idaho.”
In all, 25,968 donors contributed to a range of university priorities, including endowed scholarships, faculty, research and athletics.
“Together, with the support of our donors, volunteers, staff and leadership, we are building on a legacy almost a century in the making – to advance innovation and education through the power of philanthropy,” said Matthew Ewing, vice president of University Advancement. “The most remarkable measure is not only the record-breaking fundraising total but also the breadth of impact across the university. We continue to set a new standard of philanthropy and alumni engagement for Boise State.”
The fiscal year 2022 Boise State philanthropy from donors includes:
- Meridian-based construction company ESI Construction made the lead gift of $2 million toward the construction of a new building for the College of Engineering’s Construction Management program. Many gifts to the project come from industry partners who joined in with support to help construct the 12,000-square-foot, multi-level building that will offer students expanded laboratory structures, state-of-the-art learning environments, a 45-seat computer and construction technology classroom, and new high-bay structures for enhanced exterior lab activities.
- The generosity of 4,511 donors made gifts totaling $14.8 million to fund scholarships at Boise State University. Those gifts provided more than 2,900 scholarships to students, with over 78% going to Idaho residents. This support includes the 27 newly endowed scholarships this year, and provides students with the resources to support their education, allowing them to focus on their studies and futures.
- Thanks to a $4.5 million gift from Melaleuca, a privately held health products manufacturer based in Idaho Falls, Boise State Athletics plans to install the largest video board in the Mountain West in the south end zone of Albertsons Stadium. Melaleuca’s donation is the largest one-time facility gift in the history of Boise State Athletics. The state-of-the-art video board is slated to be 120 feet wide and 50 feet tall.
- Saint Alphonsus Health System and the organization’s parent company Trinity Health increased its five-year commitment to $3 million through a special scholarship program. The unique program provides 104 College of Health Sciences students $391,000 in scholarships who studying nursing, social work, radiologic sciences, respiratory care, public health, pre-health professions, and genetic counseling for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Planned gifts to Boise State totaled more than $13 million this year, a $4 million increase from last year. Adam Bradley and Shelly Culbertson’s $2 million estate gift will create an endowment to benefit the Boise State Intermountain Bird Observatory’s avian science programs. The Intermountain Bird Observatory is a world-renowned avian science learning center and research hub with multiple research stations across the Intermountain West.
- Donors from 42 states made 2,130 gifts totaling $491,846 during Boise State’s fourth-annual Bronco Giving Day. Alumni and friends of Boise State from across the country and as far away as Asia, Europe and the Middle East joined in the effort, supporting numerous student and faculty initiatives and programs across the university. Since its inception in 2017, Bronco Giving Day’s donor support has totaled more than $1.6 million.
- The Department of Athletics inducted 98 new members to the Lyle Smith Society, totaling 162 members who have made commitments of more than $22 million since its inception in 2021. Lyle Smith Society membership begins with a minimum gift of $25,000.
Visit the giving website to learn more about how these gifts benefit students.