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For the North

A Bemidji State University fundraising campaign

For the North

A Historic Campaign for Bemidji State University

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For the North was a targeted-initiative campaign for Bemidji State University that ran from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. It was the university's second-ever campaign, and incredible donor support turned this into the largest fundraising initiative in Bemidji State history.

You can browse this page to learn more about the campaign and where dollars are going. If you'd still like to make a difference, consider making a gift to the Lakeside Fund to support BSU's greatest needs.

Lakeside Fund
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$0!

Total raised during the For the North campaign

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Total Donors

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Alumni Donors

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New Endowed Funds

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New Discretionary Funds

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New Annual Scholarship Funds

The Timeline of For the North

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July 1, 2023

For the North Begins

The For the North campaign entered the "silent phase" of fundraising, officially launching the start of the three-year endeavor.

July 1, 2023

2023-2025

Setting the Tone

Lead donors put the For the North campaign on the right foot with lead gifts totaling $19 million, raising the bar for philanthropy at Bemidji State and making a $25 million goal accessible for all others to reach together.

2023-2025

Aug. 5, 2025

Public Phase

After $19 million in lead gifts, Bemidji State went live with For the North and invited the BSU community to take part in reaching the finish line.

Aug. 5, 2025

2025-2026

Named Spaces and Facility Upgrades

Bemidji State launched renovations all across campus, including the new GigaZone Esports Lounge, the RISE Lounge, and a new turf for Chet Anderson Stadium, as well as announcing a new renovation project to the BSU Gymnasium.

2025-2026

2025-2026

Celebrating in Style

As part of the public rollout, the Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation threw a massive For the North block party as part of Homecoming festivities. The event brought in hundreds of Beavers to raise awareness, support, and momentum for the campaign.

2025-2026

April 30, 2026

The Sunderman College

In front of a full auditorium inside Hagg-Sauer Hall, Bemidji State announced an $8.1 million gift from alumnus R. Allen Sunderman to rename a college to the Sunderman College of Creativity, Enterprise & Place. The gift became the largest single gift in BSU history.

April 30, 2026

May 1, 2026

Hitting the $25 Million Goal

Behind the monumental Sunderman gift, Bemidji State donors officially surpassed the $25 million mark — hitting the campaign's goal several months ahead of schedule.

May 1, 2026

May 4, 2026

Replant Our Roots Comes To Campus

Less than a year after a derecho storm damaged campus and felled 200 mature trees at BSU, donors returned to Bemidji State to replant trees — many of which were installed in honor of loved ones.

May 4, 2026

June 30, 2026

Closing the Campaign Strong

Before the clock struck midnight on the final day of the campaign, Bemidji State donors joined forces to raise $38,024,701, making it the largest fundraising campaign in university history.

June 30, 2026
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A Letter From Our Executive Director

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When Bemidji State University’s For the North fundraising campaign began in 2023, we knew it would be big. We hoped it would be historic.

But we had no idea just how transformational Beavers around the globe were about to make it.

Nearly 4,000 donors stepped forward and added to the incredible momentum taking place at BSU. Not only did we reach our goal, we soared past Imagine Tomorrow’s record with flying colors — especially the proud green and gold that we Beavers don.

A letter from our executive director on the success of For the North

When Bemidji State University’s For the North fundraising campaign began in 2023, we knew it would be big. We hoped it would be historic.

But we had no idea just how transformational Beavers around the globe were about to make it.

For the North has officially concluded. This targeted-initiative campaign was just the second in university history, following in the footsteps of the $36.5 million raised by the Imagine Tomorrow comprehensive campaign from 2011-16. Knowing For the North had a shorter run of three years, we set a $25 million goal.

It turns out we underestimated you.

Nearly 4,000 donors stepped forward and added to the incredible momentum taking place at BSU. Not only did we reach our goal, we soared past Imagine Tomorrow’s record with flying colors — especially the proud green and gold that we Beavers don.

For the North raised over $37 million, making it a university record and one of the largest higher education fundraisers in the history of northern Minnesota.

To all who have joined us in this endeavor: Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Personally, I’ve found myself in situations I never thought I’d be in throughout this journey. From Replant Our Roots to supporting the vision of R. Allen Sunderman through the first naming of a BSU college, this campaign has pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best ways. Our donors come from all walks of life, and it’s a privilege to explore both what makes them unique and their shared commitment to Bemidji State.

Our staff has also been spectacular during this season. Whether on the frontlines of fundraising and building relationships or working behind the scenes to facilitate the fine details, the Alumni & Foundation team has been in all corners of Minnesota and the country to maximize the impact of this campaign. I couldn’t be prouder of the work they’ve poured in, and I hope our alumni and friends have felt it with every interaction.

But the most rewarding aspect of this work is to see the impact YOUR generosity has had on our students. At the end of the day, we are here because they are here. For the North was built with BSU students in mind — and designed for all of them to reap the rewards today and throughout their careers.

The Alumni & Foundation has always been committed to providing greater access, equity, and experience for all who enroll at Bemidji State University. And if For the North has proven anything, it’s that your commitment runs just as deep.

Thank you for believing in this university. Thank you for investing in its students. Thank you for showing what it means to be a Beaver. And thank you for inspiring me by so passionately being For the North.

Sincerely,

Allyssa “A.J.” Joseph

BSU Alumni & Foundation executive director

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Donor Breakdown

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Donors by Decade

1930s graduates 1
1940s graduates 0
1950s graduates 36
1960s graduates 242
1970s graduates 542
1980s graduates 376
1990s graduates 282
2000s graduates 286
2010s graduates 272
2020s graduates 153

Donors by Type

Alumni 2283
Friend 824
Business 337
Employee 206
Foundations/DAF 106
TOTAL 3756

Donation by Type

$6 million+ 1
$2 milion+ 2
$1 million+ 5
$750,000 - $999,999 2
$749,999 - $500,000 7
$499,999 - $250,000 12
$259,999 - $150,000 5
$149,000 - $100,000 23
$99,999 - $50,000 36
$49,999 - $25,000 63
$24,999 - $15,000 34
$14,999 - $10,000 80
$9,999 - $5,000 149
$4,999 - $1,000 887
$999 - $500 803

Where Did Your Dollars Go?

The North was about more than just Bemidji State University and our region. At the heart of our campaign were a people worth investing in. Your dollars went exactly where you specified them, with many of those areas falling under three primary pillars:

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Funding Goal: $20 Million

Student Success

Student Success

At Bemidji State University, we know that getting into college is just the first step. A BSU degree is a powerful one, but it’s rarely a straight line. Unexpected financial emergencies, from a broken-down car to a medical crisis, can derail a student’s progress and threaten their dreams. And we know that to truly prepare students for life after graduation, we must provide them with more than just a classroom education. Our students deserve to gain hands-on experience and build professional connections that will launch their careers.

We at Bemidji State believe in a holistic approach to student success — one that addresses both immediate needs and long-term professional growth. Gifts to the Student Success Pillar have been an investment in the heart of BSU. By supporting this pillar, donors have directly impacted our ability to remove barriers, provide transformative learning opportunities, and ensure our students not only graduate, but thrive.

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Funding Goal: $3 Million

Facility Upgrades and Faculty Excellence

Facility Upgrades and Faculty Excellence

At Bemidji State University, we believe that an exceptional education is built on two pillars: the people who deliver the knowledge and the places where that learning happens. When you invest in our faculty and our facilities, you’re not just improving a classroom or supporting a professor — you’re securing the very foundation of our academic excellence.

Our faculty are the heart of BSU. They are mentors, researchers, and innovators who inspire our students. To attract and retain the best educators, we must provide them with resources they need to excel. Simultaneously, our physical spaces must evolve to meet the demands of modern education. Upgrading our labs, lounges, and learning environments ensures students have access to the latest technology and resources, fostering an atmosphere where ideas can thrive.

Donors who joined this pillar have helped us create a vibrant campus that empowers our faculty and prepares our students to lead. Support has directly impacted the quality of every degree earned at Bemidji State.

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Funding Goal: $2 Million

Enrollment and Recruitment

Enrollment and Recruitment

The landscape of higher education is changing. Across the Midwest, competition is fierce, and the number of high school graduates is declining. But at Bemidji State University, we’re not just reacting to these changes — we’re getting ahead of them.

We’ve already stabilized our enrollment to pre-pandemic numbers, a huge win in today’s climate. Next, For the North helped us do more than just hold our own and redefine how we attract and support the next generation. Support has helped us build a modern digital presence, tell powerful stories, and ensure every prospective student knows the value of a BSU education.

This isn’t just about marketing. It’s about building a future. It’s about leveraging key moments — from the first time a student hears about us to the day they walk into Deputy Hall for a campus tour — to create an undeniable connection. Donor support allows us to show them that Bemidji State is the place where they belong and where they can succeed.

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Watch Our Campaign Video

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This is Bemijigamaag. A place where the land speaks, and we listen. Here, every student, every graduate, every soul leaves behind a story that becomes a part of this place. So we ask ourselves: "What is the story that carries you?"

Meet the People

Watch Our Campaign Video

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This is Bemijigamaag. A place where the land speaks, and we listen. Here, every student, every graduate, every soul leaves behind a story that becomes a part of this place. So we ask ourselves: "What is the story that carries you?"

Meet the People
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