A Historic Year
UND Alumni Association & Foundation announces record-breaking $119.9 million Fundraising Year.
The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation has "shattered" previous fundraising records, securing $119.9 million in gifts during the 2025 calendar year.
CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink made the announcement during the 2026 State of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Address held Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Gorecki Alumni Center in Grand Forks.
"I am absolutely thrilled, humbled, and overjoyed to announce that in the calendar year 2025, our alumni and friends have not just broken our previous fundraising record, they have shattered it," Carlson Zink told the audience of alumni and university leaders. "This is historic. This is transformational. This is legacy."
The previous fundraising record was $100.5 million set in fiscal year 2024.
This is historic. This is transformational. This is legacy.DeAnna Carlson Zink, ’84CEO, UND Alumni Association & Foundation
By the Numbers: A Historic Year
The $119.9 million total was fueled by 11,294 donors who made more than 13,600 gifts. The organization also saw a significant surge in new support, with 2,755 first-time donors contributing in 2025 — a 54% increase over the previous 12-month reporting period.
Included in the total was strong support across all key areas of the university:
- $34.2 million for facilities
- $32.4 million for student support
- $29.6 million for faculty and programs
- $23.7 million for priority needs
Endowment Surpasses Half a Billion Dollars
Carlson Zink also revealed that the UND Alumni Association & Foundation’s endowment has reached a new all-time high of $510.7 million. This growth allowed for a payout to UND of $15.3 million in 2025 to support scholarships, faculty, and research, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
"A healthy endowment is the engine that powers your legacy and secures UND’s future," Carlson Zink said. "It empowers our university to provide an exceptional education that enriches lives today, while ensuring your values continue to shape North Dakota and the world for generations to come."
