ASU endowment surpasses $2 billion, donor support advances priorities
All eyes were on ASU's Changing Futures campaign when a billboard in NYC's Times Square displayed an ad for the initiative in September 2025. Photo courtesy Samantha Chow/Arizona State University
Donor support helped Arizona State University expand student opportunities and advance work in health, energy, conservation, artificial intelligence and workforce development during fiscal year 2026.
The ASU Foundation for a New American University raised $470.3 million in new gifts and commitments in fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30. Donor support funded more than 770 new scholarships, established 64 new endowments and grew ASU's endowment beyond $2 billion.
“Every gift to ASU is an investment in people and possibilities,” said Gretchen Buhlig, chief executive officer of the ASU Foundation. “Our donors are helping students pursue their educational goals, advancing research that addresses complex challenges and creating opportunities that strengthen communities in Arizona and beyond. Their support also helps advance the priorities of the Changing Futures campaign, expanding ASU’s ability to create lasting impact through education, discovery and innovation.”
Changing Futures campaign
Fueled by philanthropic investment and unique partnerships, ASU’s Changing Futures campaign focuses on six key areas: enhancing education access, developing leaders, promoting sustainability, strengthening communities, advancing health and developing impactful technology.
Both investment performance and continued donor support contributed to the endowment milestone.
“For fiscal year 2026, the portfolio generated a 15.7% return on investment, led by global equities and supported by our hedge fund managers,” said Samantha Bradley, chief investment officer. “Combined with continued generosity from donors, that performance helped the endowment surpass $2 billion for the first time and marked the 10th consecutive year of positive returns. We are grateful to everyone who contributes to this work, and we remain focused on managing the endowment in service of ASU's charter.”
The ASU endowment is composed of 2,675 endowed funds that are guided by donor intent and distributed to ASU on a scheduled basis. The funds are invested as a pooled fund to provide long-term support for scholarships and fellowships, professorships and chairs, research, athletics and other enrichment activities.
While the endowment milestone reflects the long-term strength of ASU's philanthropic foundation, donor support is also advancing ASU's interdisciplinary approach to education and research, enabling collaboration across fields to address complex challenges and develop meaningful solutions. Those investments are expanding opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom, develop professional and leadership skills, and prepare for future careers.
The Advancing Honors Scholarship supports Barrett, The Honors College students through career-focused cohorts, leadership development and professional skills.
“Philanthropic support is both inspiration and fuel for the work being advanced every day by ASU faculty and students,” ASU President Michael M. Crow said. “Through the generosity of those who invest in the university, bold ideas become real-world solutions that often change people’s lives and change the world. This past year’s success belongs to many people across the ASU community, and we are grateful for their commitment to helping ASU serve Arizona and the nation with greater impact.”
In total, ASU received more than 549,000 gifts during the fiscal year.
During the year, ASU also announced several significant philanthropic investments supporting conservation, energy, medicine, supply chain management and student-athlete success through Sun Devil Athletics.
- A $115 million investment from the Rob Walton Foundation established the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures to expand scholarships, field-based learning and conservation workforce development programs.
- A nine-figure philanthropic investment from John Shufeldt supported the launch of the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, a key pillar of ASU Health that is training future physician-engineers starting this fall.
- A $50 million gift from Bob Zorich established the Global Institute for the Future of Energy to advance research, innovation and workforce development in next-generation energy systems.
A $35 million gift from the National Association of State Procurement Officials established the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management to advance procurement and supply chain education, research and leadership development.
- A $10 million gift from Brian and Kelly Swette established the Swette Family Endowed Football Coach, the largest endowed leadership position in Sun Devil Athletics history.
- Align Technology made a naming-rights gift toward the construction of the indoor football practice facility, which will be called Invisalign Performance Center.
Donor support also advanced workforce development and research in emerging technologies across ASU. A $3 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation launched the Blackstone Skilled Futures initiative, which supports pathways into high-demand skilled trades careers through scholarships, training and industry partnerships.
A multimillion-dollar technology donation from Intel expanded ASU's access to advanced computing resources for ASU researchers and students working in artificial intelligence.
Support for ASU takes many forms, from annual giving and crowdfunding campaigns to planned gifts, including charitable commitments through real estate and wills and trusts.
Sun Devil Giving Day generated more than $1 million from alumni, faculty, staff, students and other ASU supporters.
Fiscal year 2026 results advanced the Changing Futures campaign’s priorities, helping expand educational access, accelerate research and innovation, strengthen communities and create opportunities that benefit students and society. Together, these investments reflect the collective impact of philanthropy in advancing ASU's mission and shaping a stronger future for the communities it serves.
More University news
ASU a partner in new national Foundry School announced by White House
Arizona State University is among eight universities selected to lead a national initiative focused on preparing the next generation of workers to advance American manufacturing. The Foundry…
ASU's online social work master’s degree marks 10 years of expanding access
For Remi Lafayette, the path to becoming a social worker started with one who cared enough to help him figure that path out.Lafayette, a U.S. Army veteran, was at a Veterans Affairs hospital…
National Academy of Engineering honors Panchanathan with Arthur M. Bueche Award
In 1969, 8-year-old Sethuraman Panchanathan stood in line outside the American Center in Chennai, India. He was with his father and hundreds of others who had come to see something truly remarkable…