MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Foundation, the fundraising arm of Northwest Missouri State University, recorded a historic fiscal year 2017, securing nearly $13 million in donor funding while exceeding its goal for the year by 82 percent.

The historic year included three seven-figure gifts, while the average gift increased 20 percent to about $4,700, outdoing peer institutions by 16 percent. Ninety-four percent of the total funds raised by the Foundation were cash contributions, which also is an all-time high for the organization.

“Our donors and alumni are so passionate about Northwest, and we are grateful for the support they continue to show the University,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said.

The average gift supporting the Foundation’s annual giving program increased by 11 percent, while giving by Northwest faculty and staff reached a historic 45 percent during FY17, representing the highest percentage in the institution’s history and a 59 percent increase in dollars raised from FY16. The giving level by Northwest employees places the institution among the top 75 percent of all master’s-granting institutions, while Northwest alumni giving outpaces peer institutions by nearly 6 percent.

The Foundation’s total assets under management increased 11 percent to $34.9 million while its endowment stands at nearly $24.2 million. In FY17, the Foundation provided $6.3 million to the University to support various needs.

For more information about the Northwest Foundation or to make a gift to support Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.