CWU donors deliver record-breaking year of support

The Central Washington University community demonstrated the power of giving in a big way during fiscal year 2026, contributing a record $13.17 million in gifts and commitments to benefit students, programs, and learning opportunities across campus.

More than 3,000 donors made contributions during the fiscal year, helping fund scholarships, student support programs, academic initiatives, athletics, and endowments that benefit current and future generations of Wildcats. The milestone reflects the growing engagement of alumni, faculty and staff, friends, organizations, and campus partners who believe in CWU's mission and the success of its students.

“This record year is a powerful reminder of what can happen when community comes together for student success,” said Paul Elstone, vice president for University Advancement, “and we see that generosity touching every corner of the university.”

One of the most visible areas of impact has been addressing students' financial needs. Programs such as the Wildcat Promise, the Crimson Scholarship, and Retention scholarships provide critical resources that help students overcome financial barriers and stay focused on achieving their educational goals. For many students, those scholarship dollars can mean the difference between continuing their education and putting it on hold.

The donor-funded Wildcat Promise scholarship supports Washington students with the greatest financial need by bridging the difference between financial aid and the full cost of attendance. Recipients are awarded $5,000 each year for up to four years, providing steady support through graduation. For Zahid Antonio Romero Ramirez, a first-generation student, that assistance has been life changing. He plans to double major in Economic Forecasting and Accounting at CWU, applying his quantitative skills toward a future in law.

"My best teachers have come from this institution,” Romero Ramirez said, “and I aspire to be as positively influential as they were on me, as well as to bring value to those around me with my work and ideas.”

Student-athletes saw increased access to opportunity through donor investments this year. Among those gifts, Janet Backus (’72), alumna and CWU Foundation Board chair, made a commitment to support men’s basketball, helping to ensure student-athletes can pursue their goals both in the classroom and on the court.

Meeting students’ basic needs was also a giving priority, with initiatives such as the Wildcat Pantry, which provides students with access to food and other essentials, easing burdens that can easily derail their academic success.

---

Investing in CWU's Future

Donors stepped up to make for an impressive fundraising year. Strong market returns on investments coupled with donor giving have brought total endowed funds at the CWU Foundation to approximately $58 million and total net assets to $87 million—all earmarked to directly benefit CWU students, programs and priorities for years to come.

Gifts throughout the year also created new academic and programmatic initiatives across campus, with grants and targeted investments for innovative programs, student experiences, and faculty resources.

For example, a grant from BECU enabled the College of Business to expand student well-being workshops and alumni mentorship opportunities this year. The grant will also support a sustainability-focused project pairing supply chain students with the university's Office of Sustainability, giving students hands-on experience that connects classroom learning to real-world results. Other gifts extended across all CWU’s colleges, reflecting the breadth of donor impact throughout the university.

While many gifts created immediate impact, a growing number of donors chose to invest in the university's future through endowed funds and planned gifts. In this way, donors create a lasting legacy for CWU students, generating resources year after year, helping to sustain scholarships, programs, and priorities for generations to come.

Earlier this year, CWU alumni Jill (’89) and Paul (’92) Heydron committed an estate gift to support science education at the university. The gift builds on their existing Heydron-Ulness Endowed Physics Scholarship, which has already helped many students achieve STEM degrees.

---

A Community Effort

The record fundraising year was made possible not only by transformational commitments, but also by hundreds of smaller gifts—a reminder that generosity at every level adds up to something significant.

That spirit was on full display during #GiveCentral, CWU's annual day of giving, which marked its tenth anniversary this year. An incredible 605 unique donors raised more than $140,000, supporting 42 different student and campus projects. As part of the day, an in-person event called "Direct the Dollars" was held at the SURC. There, 200 students directed tokens in increments of $50 to the initiatives that mattered most to them. The activity was funded by the CWU Foundation and Alumni Association boards. This first-of-its-kind event at Central let students see their philanthropy in action.

---

Looking Ahead

Though $13.17 million raised sets a record, the number conveys more than a benchmark year. It represents a shared investment in students and the transformative power of educational access. Futures are built every day at Central, through scholarships, strengthened programs, addressing student needs, and expanding impact beyond the classroom.

“We are grateful to every donor who has chosen to invest in CWU students and their futures,” Elstone said. “Gifts of every size make a meaningful difference, and together they create opportunities that change lives. That collective generosity enables us to continue this important work across the university”