Ball State University has reached its $350 million goal for Our Call to Beneficence: The Campaign for Ball State University, with fundraising efforts continuing through June 30, 2027.
The campaign’s progress reflects broad support for the University’s campaign priorities and continued momentum behind the campaign’s next phase. Since its public launch in 2023, Our Call to Beneficence has focused on three key priorities: ensuring student opportunity and success, enriching the academic experience, and expanding Ball State’s campus and community impact.
“Reaching our $350 million goal is a significant milestone for Ball State University and a reflection of the generosity of our graduates, friends, and benefactors,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “Their support is creating more opportunities for our students, strengthening the distinctive academic experiences we provide, and continuing the transformation of our campus. Even as we celebrate this achievement, we know that there is still much more we will do before this campaign concludes.”
Campaign support has helped Ball State raise more than $143 million for student opportunity and success initiatives, including the Ryan Family Navigator Program, the George and Frances Ball Scholars Program, and the Take Flight Fund. The campaign also has generated more than $64 million to expand academic programs and high-impact practices that distinguish a Ball State education, as well as more than $110 million to continue the transformation of campus. That work includes the Performing Arts Center, which is the catalyst for the University’s Village Revitalization project, the Eric Foss Championship Performance Center, the Brown Family Amphitheater, and the Alderdice Gates.
“As a first-generation college student, I know personally that philanthropy creates opportunity,” said Randy Pond, ’77, chair of the Our Call to Beneficence executive campaign council. “This milestone reflects the generosity, loyalty, and commitment of so many people who care deeply about Ball State and its future. It also shows what is possible when graduates and friends come together to invest in students, strengthen academic excellence, and support the University’s mission.”
While Ball State has reached its $350 million campaign goal, important opportunities remain in the final phase of the campaign, particularly in support of student scholarships, academic programs, and faculty innovation.
“Our Call to Beneficence is about more than reaching a number,” said Jean Crosby, ’96, president of the Ball State University Foundation and Alumni Association and vice president for university advancement. “It is about creating opportunities for students, supporting the faculty, staff, and programs that define the Ball State experience, and sustaining the momentum that will carry our University forward. We are grateful to every donor whose generosity has helped bring us to this point, and we look forward to building on that progress in the final phase of the campaign.”
That momentum has been driven by broad engagement across the Ball State community. Some supporters made their first gifts to the University during this campaign, while others have made additional commitments since the public launch in 2023. Altogether, the campaign has generated nearly 60,000 gifts and counting.
Established in 1951, the Ball State University Foundation supports the University, its mission, and its students by generating philanthropic support, carefully stewarding and investing private gifts, and strategically allocating those resources for scholarships, faculty, staff, and programs.
For more information, visit bsu.edu/foundation, call 765-285-8316, or email giftadmin@bsu.edu To support Ball State with a one-time or recurring gift, visit bsu.edu/give.