By BSU Alumni & Foundation
Published 12:00 pm on May 1, 2026
Bemidji State University has officially surpassed its For the North goal.
The targeted-initiative fundraising campaign set out to raise $25 million in three years, making it the most ambitious in university history. After receiving $8.1 million from the trust of R. Allen Sunderman — the largest testamentary contribution ever gifted to BSU — the campaign has reached its goal several months ahead of schedule and now sits at $32.6 million raised by over 3,600 donors since July 1, 2023.
“The realization of our For the North goal is a testament to our donors who believe in the mission of Bemidji State,” said Allyssa “A.J.” Joseph, BSU’s vice president of advancement and executive director of the Alumni & Foundation. “This campaign has already expanded opportunities and resources for our students, and that impact is going to continue for years.”
The campaign has sought to support Bemidji State and its students across three primary pillars: student success; facility upgrades and faculty excellence; and enrollment and recruitment. Gifts will continue to be accepted and counted through June 30, 2026, and donors can get involved by visiting bsualumni.org/forthenorth.
For the North is the second major fundraising campaign in Bemidji State history. Its predecessor, Imagine Tomorrow, ran from 2011-16 and raised $36.5 million. In less than half the time, For the North donors have nearly matched that dollar figure.
Doug Fredrickson, the president of the Alumni & Foundation Board of Directors, hopes that For the North has reignited alumni and reinstalled a powerful culture of philanthropy at BSU.
“For the North has really outdone what I thought was going to be possible,” he said. “I hope For the North leaves a mark that people talk about, like they do about Imagine Tomorrow. That was an important campaign, and this one here is going to be equal to that.”
That sense of pride, Fredrickson added, is matched by a growing confidence in what comes next. For him, the campaign’s success is not just a reflection of past support, but a signal of what’s possible when alumni and donors rally behind a shared vision.
“Hitting this goal on time — and exceeding this goal — says so much about us,” Fredrickson said. “I think we’ll take this confidence and do even bigger and better things.”
For more information about the campaign or to contribute by June 30, click the button below or visit bsualumni.org/forthenorth.
