Submitted Photo Rick Hedberg, Minot State vice president of advancement and the MSU Development Foundation executive director, said the goal of the EMPOWER Capital Campaign when it was launched in 2019 was $40 million and nearly $55 million was collected from alumni and friends.

Minot State University and the MSU Development Foundation have announced the completion of a major milestone.

In just five and a half years, the EMPOWER Capital Campaign raised $54.8 million, the largest comprehensive fundraising effort in the university’s 112-year history, MSU stated in a news release.

“The successful culmination of EMPOWER represents a tremendous team effort by all who have been involved with this campaign and speaks volumes about the incredible kindness and generosity of so many people who support Minot State University and our students,” Minot State President Dr. Steven Shirley, said in the release.

The EMPOWER Capital Campaign began with a feasibility study in June 2019, officially launched its quiet phase in July 2019, and closed on Dec. 31, 2024.

The collective commitment from the MSU campus, alumni, donors and friends propelled the EMPOWER Capital Campaign to surpass its $50 million goal. Initially set at $40 million during the feasibility study, which was a record-setting target at the time, the goal appeared ambitious, particularly as the University navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the nearly 10,000 donors inspired Minot State to raise the goal in early 2022, ahead of the campaign’s public launch during Homecoming that same year.

“Now, as we sunset this campaign, we are proud to celebrate nearly $55 million in gifts from thousands of generous alumni and friends,” Rick Hedberg, Minot State vice president of advancement and the MSU Development Foundation executive director, said. “While it was certainly an ambitious undertaking, it was the right course of action at this time, building upon Minot State’s remarkable legacy. Every student, faculty member, staff member and department on campus has been positively impacted by this campaign, and this impact will continue for years to come.”

The campaign was built around five pillars ­– Scholarships, Academic Programs, University Facilities, Athletics and the MSU Annual Fund.

EMPOWER generated nearly $25 million in scholarship dollars, outpacing its projected goal of $18 million by 139%. Scholarships accounted for 45% of the campaign’s total. The university announces that 171 new endowments were created during the campaign, growing MSU’s total scholarship endowments to 491 at the end of 2024.

Minot State’s Annual Fund, which represents unrestricted dollars to offset immediate needs, raised $2.5 million, eclipsing its goal by 127%.

“The attainment of advanced learning and enhanced career skills is a cornerstone of higher education, and MSU’s ability to provide these high-quality educational experiences at an affordable cost is critical to our success,” Shirley said. “The EMPOWER campaign, through the support of our incredibly generous donors, will ensure the outstanding value and quality of MSU’s education continues for countless future students.”

Academic Programs garnered $13.5 million, University Facilities $7.9 million, and Athletics finished at $5.2 million.

Of the 9,741 unique donors, MSU saw 6,270 first-time donors during the campaign. In all, those donors made 43,426 total gifts to the university.