EAST LANSING — Michigan State University nearly doubled the amount of money brought in from donors over the previous year and set a new record in the process.
From July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the university received donations from 63,616 people who contributed more than $736 million to the university.
The 2024-25 philanthropy period was MSU's previous record, bringing in $380 million.
The record-breaking year came as the university continues to work toward its $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign. The campaign has brought in $1.94 billion since money started being collected for it in 2022.l The school announced the campaign in 2025 and it is expected to run through 2032.
More: Michigan State athletics announces $1 billion fundraising campaign
"Behind every gift is a person or family who believes in Michigan State — in our students, in our faculty, in our mission and in the good this university can do in the world," MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz said in a statement. "This extraordinary year is not only a milestone for MSU; it is a reminder of the heart of the Spartan community and the far better future we are building together. We are incredibly grateful for our donors and for the profound expression of trust each gift represents. That generosity strengthens our responsibility to serve with purpose, steward these gifts well and continue building a university worthy of the belief so many have placed in us."
Among this year's major donations was a $301 million gift from Greg and Dawn Williams. Greg Williams is the CEO of the Grand Rapids-headquartered Acrisure.
The $301 million gift was accompanied by a $100 million investment into Spartan Ventures, a new nonprofit created to make MSU athletics competitive during the NIL era.
"MSU is not only the face of our community, but the health and well-being of East Lansing depends on a thriving and successful MSU," Greg and Dawn Williams wrote in a statement. "In this regard, we're proud and blessed to be in a position to support MSU's leadership and its ambitious vision for the future."
In the last year, the school also has received its largest facility grant ever, with a $50 million commitment from the Leinweber Foundation toward the university's $340 million engineering center.
Chuck and Jackie Frasier made a $47 million commitment to MSU's School of Packaging, meant to start the next phase of the expansion of the Packaging Building.
The university also received three different $10 million commitments — from Mary and Mike Lamach, David Spalding, and Randy Cowen and Phyllis Green — to go toward support spaces and programs in the new engineering building.
Jay and Jill Craig gifted $26.25 million to the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science as well.
Contact Karly Graham at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU tops single-year fundraising record in 2025-26