The Northern Arizona University Foundation reached its largest endowment in history while surpassing its fundraising goal for the fourth consecutive year. The milestone follows the public launch of Elevate, the campaign for NAU, and includes the second-largest fundraising year in the university’s history.
Having raised $65.8 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, the NAU Foundation has brought in more over the past four years of the Elevate campaign than the university raised in the previous 20 years combined—a historic achievement that marks the most successful fundraising period in NAU’s history.
“Elevate sparks a new era of philanthropy at NAU,” Vice President of NAU Advancement and CEO of the NAU Foundation Nick Lobejko said. “The support from our incredible community of donors, alumni and supporters reinforces how NAU is charting a new path in higher education—breaking down barriers for access and building a future where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Elevating NAU
Elevate, publicly launched in November 2025, is NAU’s $300 million comprehensive fundraising effort that will expand educational access, drive academic excellence, empower faculty innovation, and enhance the campus experience for generations of NAU students. Since fundraising for Elevate began in 2023, NAU has raised over $256 million—85% of the overall campaign fundraising goal.
“I am proud of the community of supporters who believe in the transformational power of education and who are inspired by and invest in NAU’s mission,” said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. “Your support gives us the ability to move quickly in a changing environment, expanding access and improving outcomes for every student we serve. The success of the Elevate campaign proves what this community can build together, and I’m thankful for the friends and champions whose belief in NAU lets us continue to grow our impact in Arizona and beyond.”
Your support gives us the ability to move quickly in a changing environment, expanding access and improving outcomes for every student we serve.
José Luis Cruz Rivera NAU President
A community of supporters
NAU’s community of volunteers and engaged alumni demonstrated the power of giving their time, talent, treasure and testimony by completing over 10,000 volunteer hours. This, combined with the collective impact of 11,200 donors and another record-setting NAU Giving Day, drove the fiscal year’s success. Helping make our second-largest fundraising year successful are top-level supporters creating pathways to higher education:
- Maria and Steve Sanghi generously named the College of Nursing, strengthening nursing education, growing student and faculty support and helping address Arizona’s critical nursing workforce shortage.
- Helios Education Foundation continued their support to NAU by investing $2.5 million, increasing equitable access for students and providing holistic support to advance academic momentum.
- Support from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust kicked off renovations at NAU’s Phoenix Bioscience Core to expand the hands-on learning space that trains future healthcare professionals.
- Kristen, ’92, and Steven Butzow, ’90, are equipping Flagstaff families with the tools, knowledge and confidence to pursue higher education.
- Regina Webster, ’24, represents what it means to be a “Jack who gives back” by attending NAU Alumni Chapter events, recruiting fellow alums to get involved and serving on the NAU Alumni Association Board.
Beyond a successful fundraising year, the NAU Foundation’s endowment has grown 175% since the start of the Elevate campaign. Ending fiscal year 2026 at $422.7 million, this is the largest endowment size in NAU’s history. Through a disciplined investment strategy, the endowment returns lasting results, providing student scholarships, faculty support, research funding and more, realizing steady returns over time.
Learn more about the community championing NAU and discover how contributions can elevate NAU by visiting elevate.foundationnau.org/stories-of-impact.
