The total is the largest in the Foundation’s history. The Foundation also received $32.8 million in pledge and cash payments, a 70% increase over the previous year.
“This is more than a fundraising milestone — it’s a movement,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation and senior vice president of advancement for the university. “Our donors are fueling a new era of possibility at Marshall, and the numbers speak volumes.”
The total number of donors for fiscal year 2025 rose to 3,603, an 11% increase over fiscal year 2024. In addition, alumni engagement rose by 9%, reaching a total of 2,235 alumni donors. First-time donors also increased significantly by 32%.
Marshall For All, the groundbreaking program introduced by President Brad D. Smith to eliminate student debt, received a significant boost in commitments in fiscal year 2025. Most notably, President Smith and First Lady Alys Smith gifted $50 million to Marshall For All in September 2025. This transformational gift is the largest in university history and the largest by a sitting university president to their own institution.
Other contributions to Marshall For All include $5 million from the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Charitable Foundation and $8.9 million in grants.
“This record-breaking year is a tribute to the Foundation’s strategic leadership and the trust they’ve cultivated across our community,” President Smith said. “The Foundation has become a national model for transparency, innovation and impact. Their work is not just raising dollars — it’s raising expectations for what a university can accomplish when philanthropy is aligned with purpose.”
The Foundation also received a $1 million bequest from Rosemarie Bonnington to establish the Alexander “Doug” Bonnington Greatest Needs Fund, which allows the university to address its most pressing needs and seek new opportunities in support of students, faculty and staff.
In addition to these commitments, the Foundation’s engagement efforts highlighted the power of collective giving. The fourth annual Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall united the community for 30 hours of storytelling and philanthropy, generating a record $275,189. More importantly, the event drew the highest number of donors in its history, proving that contributions of every size come together to create a lasting impact on Marshall’s future.
“Every gift, no matter the size, is advancing Marshall forward,” Karagosian said. “These gifts and the support of our donors and alumni help us scale student support, elevate faculty excellence and invest in the long-term vitality of our university.”
Funds raised by the Foundation support scholarships, endowed positions, research and capital projects, while strengthening the university’s endowment and long-term financial health.
For more information about the Marshall University Foundation and its impact, visit formarshallu.org or marshall.edu.