How they are participating

The ASU Foundation for A New American University exists to ensure the success of ASU. As the university's fund-raising arm, the foundation was recently recognized with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for growth in philanthropic investments received during the 2010-11 fiscal year, as well as fundraising efficiency. The rating is reflective of continued investor confidence: during the 2012 fiscal year, more than 94,000 donors invested more than $172 million in support of ASU scholarships, research, colleges and programs.

As an organization whose cornerstone is sharing where need exists, the ASU Foundation has an affinity with the spirit of the National Day of Giving. Recently (and in rapid succession), ASUF team members stepped forward to: 1) meet the needs of survivors of Superstorm Sandy by sending pajamas, socks, blankets and cash to Babylon, New York; 2) feed the hungry and homeless in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun through the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the world’s first food bank. This latter collection drive has been extended through the National Day of Giving, with the board and leadership of the ASU Foundation matching one-for-one every food item collected. Also on that day, ASU Foundation team members will be participating — some as donors, some as donation center workers — in a campus-wide blood drive.

The example set by ASU Foundation team members in sharing during the National Day of Giving has carried over to foundation supporters; particularly the parent of one ASU student who is providing a challenge gift to be offered that day. During the 24 hours of Nov. 27, all donations to the ASU Parents Association Fund (http://www.asufoundation.org/parentsgive) will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000 per gift, and there is no upper limit on the total match. Gifts made to the foundation through the Parents Association and this very generous match will support tutoring centers, a student emergency crisis fund, scholarships and more. The matching drive will be promoted and tracked in real time via social media.

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

Arizona State University has 491 community outreach programs in 174 locations, offered by 121 different units, totaling 753 outreach opportunities.

Changemaker Central was created at all ASU campuses as a way to facilitate more student participation by making direct service, service learning, entrepreneurship, and high-impact careers more accessible and inviting.