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Funding by Area

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Prepare changemakers

In the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, students gain expertise in disciplines that shape individuals and societies—from communication and psychology to politics and sustainability. Whether you choose to support scholarships, endowed faculty, or community impact projects, your investment helps prepare the changemakers we need to lead in a complex, ever-evolving world.

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Turn obstacles into opportunities

Scholarships helped ensure that costs never stood in the way of an SBS student’s aspirations.

Elevate access for students

Scholarships

Fundraising goal: $50,000

Every student deserves access to an excellent education—but for many, cost remains the greatest barrier. At NAU, 97 percent of students receive financial aid, ensuring that cost never stands in the way of ambition. A gift of $50,000 supports one student for an academic year; $500,000 supports ten. Your generosity opens doors and gives students the freedom to focus on learning.

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Elevate academic excellence

Name the College

Fundraising goal: $25 Million

A naming gift is the highest expression of support for our mission and future. It would provide transformative resources to expand programs, strengthen research, and support faculty and students—cementing SBS’s role as a national leader in educating changemakers committed to social impact in Arizona and beyond.

A person sits in the back of a vehicle holding a St. Mary's Food Bank box filled with groceries, including fruit snacks and canned goods.

Tackling food insecurity

NAU has developed several linked projects to address food security in northern Arizona.

Elevate academic excellence

Center for Community Impact

Fundraising goal: $1.5 Million

The Center for Community Impact is an interdisciplinary hub that brings together students, faculty, and community partners to address pressing social challenges across Arizona—including housing insecurity, aging, and reintegration after incarceration. This center will coordinate and amplify efforts already underway in SBS, serving as the umbrella for initiatives like the Community-University Public Inquiry program, the Maxwell-Lutz Community Impact Award, the Center for Service and Volunteerism, and other applied research and student-engaged projects. Your gift will provide the infrastructure and support needed to grow these efforts, ensuring SBS remains at the forefront of socially responsive education.

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Elevate academic excellence

Academic Pathways Support

Fundraising goal: $750,000

Transitions—whether into college, between institutions, or to graduate programs—are critical to student success. To stay on track, students need to focus on gaining the skills they need while in school, to excel in their careers beyond NAU. This flexible fund supports tuition, scholarships, stipends, and more, providing students with financial support to navigate key transitions with confidence.

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In the gift comments on the giving form, include “Academic Pathways Support”

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Elevate academic excellence

SBS Future Readiness

Fundraising goal: $500,000

Students in SBS develop a deep understanding of people, systems, and society, and hands-on experiences are bringing that knowledge to life and preparing them for their careers. This fund supports exactly that: stipends for unpaid internships, speaker series, alumni networking, and other professional development opportunities. With your support, our students will have opportunities to engage in transformative learning experiences that provide the tools, connections, and confidence they need to turn their education into impactful careers of consequence.

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Elevate faculty impact

Endowed Faculty

Fundraising goal: $500,000

Exceptional students need exceptional faculty. Your investment in endowed positions helps SBS recruit and retain accomplished teacher-scholars who inspire students, build meaningful community partnerships, and generate research that informs real change.